I found a detailed calculator from that estimates the cost of installation for residential solar panels, as well as providing your estimated energy savings (both monetarily and environmentally). From this, you can calculate your breakeven point- according to this, mine would be about 30 years. Since I don't think I'll be in this house for 30 more years, converting to solar at this point is not a great option. Check it out for yourself, the results might surprise you.
I hope in the future these costs are able to come down, or better yet, our current energy providers will make the switch to renewable resources and spread some of the startup costs to all consumers, so that it becomes more affordable. My electricity utility allows me to pay a little extra each month to tap into renewable resources, but few consumers take advantage of the option.
The calculator is provided by Gridpoint, Inc., a company that installs and designs residential, commercial, and municipal renweable energy systems. They're able to do some interesting things with tracking the use of energy, and a few towns have used them extensively.
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