If you live in MA or NJ check out the SREC's. They cause panels on your roof to pay back in only a few years (~4-6) and earn a small income until 2020 in MA (n

If you live in MA or NJ check out the SREC's. They cause panels on your roof to pay back in only a few years (~4-6) and earn a small income until 2020 in MA (not sure about NJ) Looking at solar on my roof as an investment (never thought I would say that about solar) for an ~10K investment (after tax credits) over the next eight years it gives a positive return with the potential for a very positive return (And this is ignoring the house value increase which is ~20K for every $1k you save in electricity costs). A nice extremely stable investment that adds diversification to my portfolio. This is way better than a say a 5 year 10K CD if you are looking for something super stable to round out your portfolio. (Not to mention you are not taxed on the energy you produce via solar unlike the CD's interest.)