THE FIRST QUESTION EVERYONE ALWAYS ASKS IS ..."What is the cost?"

The simple answer depends on the amount of electricity you require
and if you want to completely eliminate your electric bill or just reduce it.
But like anything else, there are other factors that are involved. So "READ ON"

WHAT I WAS PAYING to NVEnergy ...

$213 per month on balanced billing.
Tentatively to be increased to about $217 a month beginning Jan.1, 2015
ELECTRIC USAGE - about 17,000-18,000 watts per year.

Here's my story ... I have just had installed an 8.5 KW micro-inverter system consisting of 34 Trina Solar Panels each being 250w. Trina Solar is one of the world's leading PV (Photovoltaic Cells) companies. VERY IMPORTANT ... PLEASE NOTE: There are many factors involved in cost such as solar panels selection, amount of panels required, type of system you select, method of payment (cash, financing, down payments, etc.) In addition, there may or may not be special deals at the time. I have supplied my own information because most people have no idea how much solar panel systems cost. No two systems will be alike. Yours will be higher or lower in price than mine depending on some of those factors. UPDATE: I have been on Solar for more than two and a half years. My total bills for "each YEAR are about $200 If the PEC program winds up returning more money to me, I could receive up to another $1000.   MY COSTS Gross cost = $34,925 Then I receive Federal Tax Credits (30% of total cost $34,925 x .30=$10,477.50) So Deduct $10,477.50 (but at tax time, not at first) $34,925 - $10,477.50 = $24,447.50 * Tax credits are deducted from your income tax at tax time. You do not have to use all of them in one year. You can use them over a 4 year period. Note: The credit has no limit and will be available through December 31, 2016. So my total Cost "after" tax credits is $24,447.50 Since I am saving about $2000 each year, it should take about 10 years to pay off the panels. And every year after that I will be saving $2000. Note: Installation of Solar Panels is tax exempt from Property Taxes. So the value of your home increases but the solar improvements are not taxable! Most solar companies have financing plans. There is even a way to pay the same amount you are paying NVEnergy. Instead, you would be paying the solar company for the Solar installation over time. Once paid off, you should be finished paying for electricity2 and you will no longer be subject to electric rate increases (assuming your lifestyle remains the same and you don't go crazy adding high power electrical items). ========================================================= More info: There are other ways you may get back money First ... PECs (also known as RECs) ... Portfolio Energy Credits or Renewable Energy Credits. PLEASE NOTE that this program while still in existence may not always be there. Solar installing companies do not want to raise costumers' hopes and expectations about PECs, but right now the program exists and hopefully will last for a long time. So WHAT ARE PECs? ... also called RECs in many states - Nevada's Renewable Energy producers can earn PECs, which can then be sold to utilities that are required to meet Federal or State government portfolio standards. One PEC represents one kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity generated. This means that for every 1000W you generate, you receive one PEC certificate. Here's an example. My system produces 17000 kw. So I would receive 17 PECs. Each PEC right now is worth about $30. So 17x30 is $510. PECs may be sold in California (with restrictions), Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, N.C and Oregon (with restrictions).   Second ... Many companies pay you for Referrals - approximately $300 to $500 per household for referrals that install solar panel systems. During those 10 years, if I had done nothing, I would have paid A MINIMUM of $25,560 to NVEnergy and most likely much more since the rates will continue to rise and "would have continued to pay forever!" My Solar System increases value of my home $35,000 but is tax exempt and "does not increase property taxes!!"   SUMMARY (looking ahead 7 to 10 years) If I had done nothing, in the next 10 years I'll have paid NVEnergy $25,560-$30,000 and continue to pay this amount or more as electric rates increase. Instead, I paid my solar company $24,447.50 and I OWN the Solar Panels. Electric rates will have risen, but I will be producing my own electricity, so my electric bill will be non-existent. Additional monies may come to me via the PEC program. My electric bill instead of being $2556 a year or higher, will now be about $200 a year and that is simply the basic charge plus taxes. Assuming I had done nothing, I would have continued to pay NVEnergy $213, $230, $250 or whatever their current rate may be for as long as I own my home and that would be worth at least $25,000-$30,000 every ten years. My home value will have increased making it more desirable for a potential buyer. Assuming two identical houses are for sale, and one has a $250 electric bill each month, while the other has no electric bill, which do you think the buyer would choose?  What is the difference between "Off the Grid" and "Grid-Tied"? MOST HOMES (including mine) ARE "GRID-TIED" Click on the picture above --------------------------------------------------------------------------     2 Minimum payment of $10.50 to NVEnergy to stay linked to grid. But that would be offset by just one referral. "Each" one will eliminate that $10.50 for at least 2 1/2 years!!! and of course, don't forget those PECs! I've had two referrals on the first day!! How Solar Works We can change sunlight directly to electricity using solar cells. Every day, light hits your roof's solar panels with photons (particles of sunlight). The solar panel converts those photons into electrons of direct current ("DC") electricity. The electrons flow out of the solar panel and into an inverter (or each panel can have a micro-inverter) and other electrical safety devices. The inverter or micro-inverter converts that "DC" power (commonly used in batteries) into alternating current or "AC" power. AC power is the kind of electrical that your television, computer, and toasters use when plugged into the wall outlet.   A net energy meter keeps track of the all the power your solar system produces. Any solar energy that you do not use simultaneous with production will go back into the electrical grid through the meter. At night or on cloudy days, when your system is not producing more than your building needs, you will consume electricity from the grid as normal. Your utility will bill you for the "net" consumption for any given billing period and provide you with a dollar credit for any excess during a given period. You can carry your bill credit forward for up to a year.