upfront cost of solar panels
Solar power is a clean, renewable energy source, yet it makes up less than 1 percent of the power used in the United States [source: USA Today]. Part of the reason more people aren't using solar energy to power their homes is the cost. Solar panels can cost $30,000 or more to install, an investment that can take 10 to 15 years to recoup [sources: Live Science, CNET News, Walsh].