Solar panels economical?

Installing PV panels is like planting an apple tree in your garden. What is the economical use of an apple tree in your garden? Who cares about trees? Do the apples pay back the tree in the short run? Not likely. Why then plant a tree at all? Several good reasons exist to plant apple trees. They convert sunlight into juicy apples, they look fine, they provide shade and they produce fresh air. They give you a good feeling. It is about the same with photovoltaic panels. They convert sunlight into electrical 'juice', they look smart, they provide shade and they help keeping the air clean. Why then should a PV panel pay itself back in the short run? Now consider your TV. It cost a lot, consumes electricity, and the programs you tune to are often outright boring. If your TV-set is not ugly right away be sure it will become ugly some day soon due to changes in style and fashion. Yet your TV set does not have to pay itself back. Why not?

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