1) (25 pts) As part of his new \'Green\' initiative, President Obama recently de

ID: 1332594 • Letter: 1

Question

1) (25 pts) As part of his new 'Green' initiative, President Obama recently decided to install solar

panels on the Whitehouse. Being moved by his leadership, you decide that you would like to put

solar panels on your house as well; but only if it makes economic sense! To aid in making your

decision, you collect the following data:

* Solar panels that produce 18 volts and 7 amps (under direct sunlight) cost $829

* We-Energy's electricity rate is 12 cents per kilowatt-hour

* Where you live (in Wisconsin), there is an average of 8 hours of full direct sunlight per day

a) (10 pts) How much power is each solar panel capable of producing?

b) (15 pts) You've decided that for this effort to be 'worth it', the solar panels must generate

enough energy to pay for themselves in 10 years or less. Under these constraints, will

purchasing the panels be ‘worth it’? What is the payback period assuming We-Energy’s

electricity rates remain constant?

a) power = V* I = 18 volts * 7 amp = 126 watts

in 8 hours power produced = 1.008KW ( power produced each day)

so cost per day = 12cent * 1.008KW= 12.096 cents

b) in 10 yrs no, of days will be 365* 10 = 3650 days

so , power produced = 3650* 1.008KW'= 3679.2 KWH

cost = 3679.2 KWH * 12 cents = 44150 cents = 441.5 dollars

no the purchase wont be worth it

the payback period will be 829*100 / 12.096 cents= 18.77 years

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