[spc476]

Yeah, I wasn't really swayed by that Sun Sentinel article. I can understand why power companies hate net metering---it complicates their lives (https://web.archive.org/web/20051223090406/http://www.denbes... [1]) and past that, it's jut whining that it'll take even long to recoup installation costs of solar panels. Solar cells still either need to be 1) cheaper or 2) last longer.

I haven't read up on the Tesla roof tiles, but I can only see that being viable (at least here in Florida) if they at least break even over, say, thirty years (outer range of roof replacement) with the occasional hurricane (say, one every five years or so). And how do you clean the things? We had our roof washed several months ago, but that's because my SO thought the roof just looked unsightly [2]. But having to wash the roof (say, yearly just to keep up the efficiency) will definitely cut into the ROI of the system.

They might very well work out financially in Arizona and New Mexico though (more sun, less rain and a simple brushing off of any sand might suffice).

[1] Yes, it's a decade old, but it goes into details about power generation I don't think many people realize. Running a power grid is not easy and it's all too easy to screw up.

[2] Tile roof, which tends to hold up a bit better under hurricanes.