How many solar cells to power my house?

To go along with what Denny is saying that it's important to point out that solar cell technology will never either increase in efficiency and/or go down in cost.

Also it's important to mention that under the theory of abiotic oil the earth will never run out of oil while the sun will eventually burn out.

Solar cells are the betamax of energy technology.

 

The numbers don't look realistic.

For $780/month, you should have been buying at least 2x 6000 watts (144 kWh @ $.09 per)

 

Yes.

 

You did. The price of your solar panels would have been much higher. Price divided by hours is what you pay for your electricity, so it's a discount.

 

Here's my math, feel free to correct it (anyone).

6000 watts * 24 / 1000 = 144 kwh
144 kwh * $.09/kwh = $12.96
$12.86 * 365 days / 12 months = $394.20

Or almost exactly 1/2 what you say your $780 bill was

So it would seem you're using less than 1/2 the electricity you did (and enough less to contribute back to the grid). Or your bill isn't really $.99 like you say.

Here in Southern California, you have to pay $20 minimum to the electric company even if you use zero electricity. I have a neighbor who built a new home with solar and told me there's no way to avoid paying at least the $20.

 

It looks to me like a single solar panel generates 80 watts in direct sun. 50 panels would be 4000 watts.

4000 watts is enough power for 40 x 100 watt light bulbs, or 10 computers, or a moderate sized central air conditioning system, etc. A refrigerator uses about 1400 watts.

The solar panels only work in the daylight, so you must be paying for electricity from the electric company for as many as 16 hours a day. Granted, you are paying for that power when your A/C doesn't need to work as hard, etc.

 

12,000 watts makes sense if you really use 6000 and need to push 6000 to the grid to make up for night time and rainy days.

 

That's funny. I know a large negro boy who has you running on a giant hamster wheel.