These claims of effective solar electric systems for "$200" are simply scams. Likewise for wind power. $200 will barely purchase a 50 watt panel. When balance of system components (BOS) are also considered, the costs are much higher. To minimimize costs, if you are a DIY, purchase all professional components and install the system youself. If you buy panels, wire, frames (ground mount best), charge controllers, inverters and batteries separately and build the system yourself, you will be on the low end of the $3 to $5 per watt for equipment, and generally twice that for total professional design and installation. The only people actually benefitting from the $200 systems are the folks selling the plans. We have 200 sf of thermal panels, and 1000 watts of grid tied PV panels on two single axis tracking arrays. Our total expenditure for both systems is on the order of $20,000, which is on the exteme low end of current cost ranges. As for the "$200" kits for PV or wind, just consider that an Outback MX60 charge controller costs $500...enuf said.
