On Average, solar Power CHEAPER in Germany than the U.S.

[Niri Te]

This was surprising, on average solar panel prices (Excluding Chinese built "Harbor Freight" panels baught here in the States), are CHEAPER than in the less regulated United States. Here is the story.
Niri Te

Lessons From Germany on Solar Costs | CleanTechies Blog - CleanTechies.com

[Moco Loco]

Why do you find this surprising?

[Niri Te]

Well Moco, I find it surprising, because it is NOT the case for any of us that I know out here in a twenty mile wide swath of northern Hudspeth County, Texas.
Most of us that have stand alone houses, (about 22 that I can think of right off the top of my head, paid between 400 and 800 TOTAL for our Solar systems, and another 400 to 500 for our wind systems.
The biggest reason for this is because we scrounged the parts for a lot of the systems, and built the ENTIRE systems by ourselves, something that is Strengtes Verboten in Germany.
If you are a "Rich Bitch" with a tone of money and two teaspoons full of technical knowledge, then yeah, SPEND some of that money. If you are a self reliant individualist, then do it YOURSELF, and save a TON of money.
Well time for Ateyo and I to shut off our solar powered Computers, and ass kicking stereo, and get back on the roof of the Music / Guest room and finish the second, (shade) roof with our solar powered power tools.
Given the choice between money and talent, I'll take talent every time.
Niri Te

Originally Posted by Moco Loco

Why do you find this surprising?

[Moco Loco]

Originally Posted by Niri Te

Well Moco, I find it surprising, because it is NOT the case for any of us that I know out here in a twenty mile wide swath of northern Hudspeth County, Texas.

In any case, seems kind of goofy that you'd assume the solar panel costs of the entire country reflect your own neighborhood, especially since you pointed out that the US is less regulated. But congrats on being self reliant and all.

[Human No More]

I'm not surprised, because in many cases, the US has the "buy American" philosophy where most countries tend to source from where it's cheapest. Germany is also a country with a high proportion of technically minded people and the strongest economy in Europe (really, the only eurozone economy that isn't completely in the toilet).