Solar as a Family Business?

[Jon2017]

Hello Everyone,

My name is Jon, and I've been a solar power enthusiast for many years. I'm currently working overseas and had the opportunity to oversee the installation of residential solar arrays of 5 kW - 20 kW.

Looking to the future, I'd really like to buy a plot of land in the midwest (specifically Wisconsin or Minnesota, close to family and friends) where I can build a good-sized solar PV installation ("solar farm") to sell power back to the grid. My hope would be to do much of the work myself, and run it as a small family business.

I look forward to learning from the knowledge of this group and hope to connect with others who are working on similar projects or can offer advice regarding my plans.

[Sunking]

Lot of problems doing that. First any commercial operation would require professional engineers and qualified installation. In addition any cogen like you want requires a resident engineer to operate the facility. Next in line is like any cogen electricity is a commodity and is sold on the open market, and utility providers only buy the cheapest electricity they can. You would be in competition with cogens using NG and they can and will sell a lot lower cost than you can. If you were to cut prices down to be competitive you would be giving electricity away at $30 to $40 per Mwh. You would go broke either way.

Come end of 2016 all subsidies end, and when that happens Solar will bust.

[Jon2017]

Thanks for the reply, SunKing. I'm hoping I can serve as the "resident engineer." I know I have a lot to learn to fill that role, but I believe over the next couple years I'll be able to.