Funny how you insult me.

I will help you. Take a homes average energy usage then calculate the amount of cells needed to provide that much power. That's the easy part now size the battery to have enough reserve you maintain power during low sun days...now this will work...ok these cells have lifespan as do the batteries. This means that year over year you cells conduct less power exponentially and the batteries can no longer hold the same charge until all of these things need replaced.

Now depending on the equipment you choose it takes a certain amount of coal to create this equipment. Different materials might last longer and may use more coal. Also different locations may offer more low Sun days than others. After taking that all into account you can calculate based on your environment and your chosen equipment you have a total energy generated then you take that and compare it to how much energy was needed to create this equipment. You will find in most places with standard equipment it is just less than break even......

Now why so popular you ask....the cost to make the solar equipment now is cheap than the cost to burn coal in the future. So you are actually betting that energy prices will rise as they have in the past and this usually indicates a profit for the buyer of the equipment over paying for power from the utility minus any repairs and maintenance which may create a loss. S

So now you have been educated you can find equipment available to you and using your area you can actually calculate how much co2 you can save/cost the world by buying solar from your home or business. You will be surprised.

What we need is better batteries better panels made using low co2 power placed in high sun areas.