SUNRNR of Virginia, Inc.
("Sun Runner")
Return On Investment
| New comment on Return on Investment (Positive ROI, Value): Below and on the Why SUNRNR? page is an apples-to-oranges comparison of a gas vs solar generator. However, a financial investment customer offered insight on a better way to view the Return on Investment by comparing buying a SUNRNR to buying a CD at your bank. It is a place to store money without risk, but with benefits! The "interest" is the free/supplemental electricity, but the "principal" is sitting there if you need it. And we may all believe our government-protected grid will always be there for us, but it's not a bad idea to protect ourselves. |
Alternative Energy Return on Investment
The national average for electricity from utilities (the grid) is $0.11 per kWh. A rough estimate for electricity from a permanent residential solar system installation today is four times that amount. Throw in federal and state incentives and you'll be lucky to pay $0.30 per kWh with solar. However, there is speculation of grid utility electricity tripling in cost very soon. (There is also speculation of major solar flares which could make the ROI priceless - comments welcome.)
Alternative energy is not currently cheap or cost-effective, but as grid and gas prices rise, incentives increase, and renewable energy technology costs fall, it will get better.
It is also important to remember that SUNRNR is not trying to compete with the grid, so comparing our kWh cost to theirs is moot in a sense. (We certainly have the advantage if considering running hundreds of feet of power line.) And cost per kWh gets even fuzzier when you take into account a SUNRNR provides renewable energy.
However, when SUNRNRs become grid-tieable and there are many in a given area tied into the new smart grid, together they could be used to provide power during what would have been a utility peak. This concept of leveling peaks and recharging during low power consumption valleys could keep one more industrial power plant from being constructed.
In round numbers (and making assumptions slightly in our favor), let’s say a gas generator comparable in power output to a SUNRNR costs $1000, uses one gallon of gasoline at $3/gal per hour at max, and is used on average one hour a day every day. After two years and 700 gallons of gasoline, a SUNRNR would be paid for, fuel is free, and the next required maintenance would be in three years or more. Added bonuses: 700 hours incessant putt-putt noise not heard and 700 gallons of gas not consumed.
So far, this discussion has been focused on personal and/or local use. It wouldn’t be complete without commenting in broader terms. Nationally and globally, the ROI could be dramatic, but difficult to define with a number. There would be numerous advantages for this country if FEMA would use solar generators instead of gas-powered at disaster sites like hurricanes or during the ice storm in the mid-West earlier this year. (And remember, it is difficult to get the gas to run a gas generator for electricity when you need electricity to pump the gas.) As for globally, the US provides so much costly aid to other nations to help fight disease and improve quality of life. If we could get portable, renewable power to these people to allow for clean water and light at night, we would be teaching them to fish, not giving them one, and the investment could return many-fold.
