Should you switch to solar? - Shannon Odell

Explore how solar units can help you save money on energy costs, and the most common challenges of switching to solar power.

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Today in many countries solar is the cheapest form of energy to produce. Millions of homes are equipped with rooftop solar, with most units paying for themselves in their first seven to 12 years and then generating further savings. So, how much money can you save by switching to solar? Shannon Odell shares how solar units could help pave the way for a cleaner and more reliable energy future.

Lesson by Shannon Odell, directed by Biljana Labović.

This video made possible in collaboration with Speed & Scale

A special thanks to Eric O'Shaughnessy who provided information and insights for the development of this video.

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[espalza]

I used to work in sales for a company that offers a solar leasing business model.

They basically made solar affordable by requiring nothing upfront paid, and only charging payments once the panels are installed. The power bill you normally pay for is cancelled out by the generated solar energy, and you use that money to pay for your panels. In about 5 years’ time you would be enjoying free power.

I thought that was genius. But if only people understood it and let the numbers talked, it would have been an easy job.

[jeroenritmeester]

Over the past few years and during a few more, the Netherlands is actually phasing out the payment for excess generated power. Although annoying for the consumers that want to buy solar panels, this is due to our power grid being completely filled up. Additionally, I think it serves to stimulate research into battery technology, which should hopefully follow the same trend as solar panels.

[fyukfy]

Solar power is the only widely available energy source that doesn't require spinning a turbine

[Iking]

I'm from Germany and you sound so optimistic in your video about the EEG as well as about the renewable infrastructure here. The truth is, that of course there are some progresses, but the bureaucracy and incompetent politicians make it less efficient as it could be. Also it's not so easy to install these panels and to flow the electric current into the power grid

[athargilani]

Research into battery and power storage technologies should also be ramped up to further optimize this energy source. Right now power storage is a bigger challenge for micro users than generating.

[TheAmericanAmerican]

For everyone wondering about recycling the panels, France is opening the world's biggest recycling center for solar panels. More will come. The industry is always growing and adapting. Solar is the future!

[Mfalme_]

I live in a country located on the equator if only people knew the amount of energy our sun gives we'd never run out of power

[turtle]

I live in a building where all the owners meet regularly to discuss about work that has to be done and so on. I'am crying my heart out every time to beg them to insulate the roof because of the cost. There is no way I could get them to ever accept a solar panel.

[chrisfelonall]

I work as Electrical Engineer in a distribution company and one of our team's scope is evaluating the electricity produced by the Solar Panels(from residentials, commercials, or industrial) if they meet the ideal parameters before they can send the produced electricity to the grid. The electricity produced should meet those said required parameters because if they dont, they might disrupt or lower the efficiency of the entire grid or circuit. Usually this process can take up to 6 months.

[menpee]

Is it expensive compared to 30 years ago? No.
Is it expensive for the average people in my country? Absolutely yes and it will be for years.

[markcaesar]

I listened to a podcast recently about the affects solar panels are having hre in Australia. It's all good but there's another huge cost and endeavour just round the corner. While it's great to produce power for yourself, if you produce excess power that should be able to go back into the grid. Unfortunately the grid isn't designed to do this. There will need to be a huge undertaking to rewire and re-engineer the grid to make this possible. Having lithium storage batteries for your home is a good start, but more needs to be done.

[D.Enniss]

Here in Portugal all new houses are pretty much obligated to have solar panels. The buying costs of panels Vs electricity costs make it so it's a no brainer to have solar panels.

[robertrootes]

The lowest electric bill we had with solar was $19.10 because that is the processing fee for the electric company. Before the solar panels out electric bill was over $150 to $300 depending on the weather and seasons

[beyondfossil]

Great video! On a more macro scale, it is notable that both residential and commercial solar can do a great deal to relieve stress on the regional electrical grid.

Because every watt generated and consumed locally is a watt that does not stress a distant power plant nor the grid to transmit that watt. And the grid can become a critical bottleneck for global electrification efforts. Residential and commercial solar "unloads" the grid and starts building a distributed power architecture. Distributed systems are naturally highly resilient by their very nature versus centralized monolithic ones that largely exist today.

This situation is most evident during heat waves when the regional grid experiences some of its most extreme loads from all the A/C running at the same time. However, heatwaves always come with abundant sunshine which the residential and commercial solar panels will absolutely soak up.

So a solar home not only removes its own load on the grid but likely also partially powers their neighbor's home loads and A/C. Same with commercial buildings: malls, big box stores, etc. which have huge A/C loads due to their massive interior size. When thousands of such installs are running, it will really start having a benefit to the local grid during heatwaves -- which will become more frequent and more intense with climate change.

Solar is the only major power source that blends almost seamlessly into the urban landscape with noiseless and pollution free power due to its naturally thin design and all solid state electronics.

[randomcat]

I’ve always wondered that. Especially considering I live in a country with seasons, where in winter there’s nearly no sunshine

[danielbass]

$17, 000 in 2022!!! In 2020 I got a 7.9Kw system for $6, 500 AUD. That’s like $4, 300 USD for a system than can run your home… and our system has paid itself off in 3 years here in Australia.

[stef]

Solar powers problem isnt solar panel cost or its effeciency, the real problem is storing solar power and the cost and ineffeciency of batterys.

[fayiseverlove]

Solar post are becoming popular in my country and we got one last month and it was great. It light up the side walk at night. People might think it's not a huge deal but it kinda is.

[RappingManualYT]

I love these animations, so imaginative! : )

[mrdol]

my gawd, the illustrations and animation in this video is extraordinary! Love it