I've been thinking about installing solar panels on my house here in Monterrey for months now, but the upfront cost scares me. A neighbor of mine has had them for 2 years and says she got her investment back quickly, but I'm not sure if it's really that profitable in my area. Has anyone done it and how did it work out for you?
In Monterrey you get plenty of solar radiation, so the panels work pretty well, but what matters is your current consumption and your available budget. The actual savings depend a lot on whether your roof is well-oriented, how much shade it gets during the day, and what you're paying for electricity right now; you can request a quote from local installers so they can do a specific analysis of your situation with no obligation.
Normally the investment pays for itself between 5 and 10 years depending on these factors, so if you're planning to stay in the house that long, it'll probably be worth it. If the upfront cost is daunting, you can look for subsidies or specific financing for solar energy in the state of Nuevo León - sometimes there are programs available.
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