| In 2008, solar panels were a relatively new innovation | | | | As the materials and technology required for building |
| and mostly reserved for use in large buildings and | | | | solar panels became more affordable for businesses, |
| companies with a large amount of scientific funding or | | | | the savings were passed on to consumers. By 2009, |
| excess revenue. Although some homeowners had | | | | a 4 kilowatt panel could cost as low as $10000. |
| installed them, it was mostly a luxury. Now they are | | | | There prices are still out of reach for most |
| regarded as one of the most environmentally friendly | | | | consumers today, but there are cheaper alternatives. |
| and economically beneficial home improvements. | | | | Some solar energy wholesalers provide cheap solar |
| That changed in 2009 when technology allowed solar | | | | energy panels, which will still run in the neighborhood |
| energy panel providers to produce more solar panels | | | | of several thousand dollars. Recently, a number of |
| at a lower cost, making them easier for consumers | | | | do-it-yourself guides for building solar energy panels |
| to access. Even so, they were still out of reach for | | | | have become popular. These solar panel building |
| most families. | | | | guides can build an effective panel for $100-200. |
| The most popular size of solar energy panels for | | | | This is by far the cheapest alternative, and as a |
| homeowners is 4 kilowatt. In 2008, these solar panels | | | | result many homeowners are looking to build their |
| would cost the average homeowner about $32000. | | | | own solar energy panels at home. The costs of |
| Local incentives for clean energy provided by the | | | | these homemade solar panels are easily offset by |
| government could make that cost as low as $23000. | | | | the electricity savings resulting from them. The |
| Electricity companies charge per kilowatt hour. Using | | | | average home will have recovered the cost of |
| 1000 watts of electricity for one hour is the | | | | building solar panels at home in a period of 1 to 3 |
| equivalent of this measurement. Having a 4 kilowatt | | | | months, compared to nearly 10 years with traditional |
| panel running at capacity for just 1 hour would save | | | | solar panels. |
| 4 kilowatt hours of electricity costs. | | | | |