So what does it cost to reduce the amount of energy we consume on a household basis while maintaining the same standard of living?

     And the simple answer is the self defeating, "It costs a lot of money."

     Take for instance, an in home solar setup, pre-made kits that sell excess back into the power grid range from about $8,000 on up to well over $50,000 for serious 6kw setups(source). It's roughly the same cost as remodeling sections of your house. A small kit setup may be the same as remodeling a bathroom, a large setup similar to remodeling a kitchen.

     If you do it yourself you save money, I'll cover that in later articles.

     Most of the hard numbers equations for return on investment of these systems are disheartening to say the least. With household solar systems taking 7 to 20 years to pay for itself, it would seem like a poor and long term investment.

     But the truth is that it will eventually pay for itself, that in itself should be amazing. Something you change about your house will turn your house from a consumer to a producer. That's a fundamental change of no small significance, your house can now contribute to the national economy in a measurable way. Sort of like how you do by working, although it does so by just sitting there soaking up the sun. Read more...