A Homeowner in Allentown, PA Installs a 60° South-Facing Solar $1 \mathrm {~kW}$

question 5

Essay

A homeowner in Allentown, PA installs a 60° south-facing solar collector that (on the average over the year) replaces $1 \mathrm {~kW}$ of electric heat (purchased from the public utility at $\$ 0.11$ per $\mathrm { kWh }$ ). The homeowner is considering adding a tracking mechanism to maintain perpendicular alignment of the collector with the solar insolation. If the payback period for the upgrade is expected to be five years, what should the homeowner be willing to pay for the tracking device? Comment on this plan.

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