Solar Panels
 

Read an article about Solar panels in the paper today, after researching the costs--looks like the break even time is over 20 years

IMHO-- its not a winner for the average person in TV, based on age

Solar panels are great if you need them for something "off grid".
Otherwise they're still way too expensive.

If you instal the right size for your usage you should have a pay-back period of around 12 years

Since I'm 74--its a dumb bet-my credo is don't worry about saving $, worry about making $

Certainly one has to consider how much longer you expect to live in that property, as the next owner probably won't pay you the full depreciated value for the installation.

Any tax benefits and available grants must also be factored in.

What does the break even calculation include for maintenance and repairs? I would be very skeptical if it doesn't include the possibility of the system leaking or breaking down, or the additional cost if you need to repair or replace your roof.

There is a community being built only 3 miles east of The Villages that is entirely solar powered.

What is Net Zero Living? - Green Key Village

A net-zero Green Key Village home is a regular grid-tied home that is so air-tight, so well insulated, and so energy efficient that it produces as much renewable energy as the average family consumes over the course of a year leaving residents with a net zero energy bill and a carbon-free footprint.

I am from California and it made since there because electricity was so much more expensive. If your electric bill was $150 a month you would be able to cover 70% of your electricity for about a $120 a month lease payment. California is on a tier system that runs from 13 to 39 cents a kWh depending on amount of electricity used and here we are about 8 cents. Would not expect it to ever pay for its self.

Google Sunroof
 

Google Sunroof gives cost estimates based on your address.

Project Sunroof

This site says we would have a 17 year pay back. If I invested the $24,000 startup cost in good mutual funds, I could have over $100,000 for my grandkids at the end of 17 years.. This looks like a much better investment.

Not exactly. SECO charges 12-14 cents per kWh, depending on how much you use and including all taxes and fees.

I put in solar, but not with the idea that I would save money. The proposal said the breakeven was about 12 or 13 years. This assumed a 4% per year increase in electric costs. At some point you will probably have to remove the panels to put on a new roof. You also may have some maintenance expense. I added $5,000 (just a guess) to the costs and a lower increase in the cost of electric and got about a 18 year payback after the Federal tax rebate. My system is also oversized so maybe you can get a 16 or 17 year payback.
The plus side is that you are not taxed on the electric payment you do not have to make to the utility. Thus if you are in the 25% tax bracket you can add that back to your savings. Also you probably could not get a bond or CD that would give you after tax income to pay for your electric bill for the net cost of your system.
Conclusion their should be some savings but at this time do not do it just for the savings.

lol, my three yEAR old house in Dunedin still shows as a dirt lot

Don't forget that SECO has a fixed access charge each month, even if you don't use any of their electricity. A lot of quotes will ask you for your monthly electricity bill and assume that, going forward, that bill will be zero once you install solar. Unless you plan on going completely "off grid" (which will involve you in additional costs for batteries) then you will still need SECO for when the sun goes in.

It can still make financial sense to go solar - just do so with your eyes open.