Microinverters

Apparently one of the big cost factors in installing photovoltaic panels is the inverters that transform DC to AC power. Usually, you need to get several panels to make it worthwhile. But the New York Times reports that a company is coming out with micro-inverters, good for one panel. So you can start small and build up gradually this way. Also, you could "do-it-yourself."

Solar panel promotion

The New York Times has had a couple of articles about places with a high rate of photovoltaic panel adoption over the past couple of days. There seem to be three escalating levels of promotion:
1) net metering: excess energy you generate is credited to your account by the local electric company at their normal cost
2) bonus net metering: energy is credited at a higher rate than you would pay for it. This accounts for the high adoption rate in Germany and Spain. There is also a program in Gainesville Florida.
3) municipal loans that cover the cost of the panels. The loan is secured by taxes, and attaches to the house, not the owner. The program is found in several municipalities in California, Arizona, Texas, Virginia and Colorado, and comes on top of the tax credits.

All of these required political will to make reality.

Solar panel prices down

I missed this from a couple of months ago, but it is likely still relevant. Solar photovoltaic prices are down because of relaxed demand (mostly in Germany and Spain), according to a story in USA Today . High demand had been inflating prices.