[GreenLantern2814]

We just bought a house, and I asked our inspector about solar systems as the roof will need replacing in the next five years.

He said what others have said, 15-20 years to break even, and even then you only lease the panels for 20 years. There’s a pretty marginal economic benefit at best.

To reduce you energy consumption, you could replace all the lights in your house with LEDs and ensure your home is well insulated. A diesel generator will cover you in the event of a power outage.

You could do all that for vastly less than a solar panel setup.

But, the solar panels are certainly a statement and a signal to your neighbours. It depends how you feel about that.