The cost of installing solar panels is dropping, however for many homeowners the initial installation is just too expensive.  Yes, the know that in the long run they could save thousands and thousands of dollars and increase the value of their home at the same time, but it takes take quite a few years before you actually feel the return on that investment.  It is enticing to think that not only will you save money, but that you could actually have energy that is clean, it comes from clean places and gives off nothing toxic or danger back to the environment.

Scientists state the all it would take to meet the energy needs for electrical power for the entire world for one year, the sun gives to use each minute it is shining.  The intent of solar panels is to harness and to store that energy, either for future use or for use in regions where the sun does not always shine, such as the cities with long winter seasons such as Chicago, Detroit, Manhattan or Baltimore.  Leading plumbing companies have stated that replacing a hot water heater with a solar heater will provide forty years of free hot water, after the initial installation expense has been paid off.

Again, herein lies the problem for many American families, being able to afford the money it takes in order to save money in the future.  However, hope is on the way in the form of micro inverters.  A company out of California, Enphase Energy, has shipped to clients more that fifty thousand of these single solar panel micro inverters since August of last year.  Each one costs around two hundred dollars and are attached to one single panel placed on the roof.

Now a single panel will cost about one thousand dollars, still quite an investment for some.  And one panel will not produce enough energy to power much in a house.  But for those people who like do-it-yourself renovation around their house, this is one way that they are able to gradually build up to eventually having a solar powered house.  Technology has made this possible in the present, and hopefully in the future technology will advance to the point where everyone will be able to afford to safe money, and to safe the environment of the planet at the same time.