Cost and Benefit Analysis of Solar Panels at Home
Keywords:
alternative energy solution, investment, payback period and savings, solar panel systemAbstract
Due to the high utility costs in Cabanatuan City, the solar panel system is rapidly approaching. People in the middle and lower income classes of the country particularly feel the effects of inflation. In order to address the ongoing rise in oil prices and pollution, the government has made the development of renewable energy one of its top priorities. In order to help consumers reduce their utility costs, save money, and produce greener energy, a study on the installation of a solar panel system at home was carried out. The researchers gathered some data from consumers to be utilized as the basis for the contractors' computations, where the adoption of a 3kw on-grid solar panel system was recommended to those respondents with power bills under ₱2,400. The project costs approximately ₱150,000 in total, including installation and permits, and can save approximately ₱2,300 monthly. This investment has a 5.4-year payback period and a total savings of ₱402,000 over a 20-year period. The consumption analysis revealed a sensitive effect on savings and investment payback periods. The study proved that the project's long-term savings can be more than double the initial investment. A SWOT analysis was also performed to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of having an on-grid solar panel, as well as the benefits of clean energy and gas reduction in our environment that future generations could benefit from. The project's cost-benefit is a win-win investment for everyone who wants to save money while also enjoying cleaner air in the long run.