Are Solar Panels Overrated or do they really work?

[pacpacpac]

I'm new in this and I was wondering if it's the real solution to go green.
Are the costs ever to be retrieved in monthly savings?

Thanks

[Naptown]

The answer depends on a number of factors
1- How much you pay for the system
2- What you are paying for electricity
3- What incentives are available
4- How much insolation is available at your site
5- specific site conditions such as tilt, azimuth, shading etc.
6- Is net metering available.
All of the above contribute to whether a system will ever hit break even.
If you give a zip code or location we may be able to help.

[TnAndy]

There is no single answer to that question, as there are a lot of variables in the equation.
Without a LOT of information on your part, some expansion of YOUR knowledge, and some decision making on YOUR part, you will never get an answer to that question.

For example: What do you pay for power now ?

Do you think power costs will stay the same or increase in the future ?

What would a system cost to offset your current use, or whatever part of it YOU want to offset ?

Based on those two EXTREMELY variable inputs, a payback can be calculated.

Then, what IS an acceptable payback to you.....one year ? 5 years ? 10 years ? 25 years ?

The answer, once you finally arrive at it, is going to be different for you and the next guy you meet.

Your question is like "what is the payback on owning an automobile ?"

Well, I can walk to town in 3 hours, then back again in 3 hours, or it's a 1/2 hour round trip by auto. The payback on my auto is "probably never"......but I plan to own and drive one anyway as long as I can.