A year ago I had a solar system installed on the south roof of my home. It's a 20 panel Canadian Solar system with a maximum capacity of 6.3kw, though I've seen peaks above 6500w. I checked the meter today and also logged the reported solar production from the inverters. I'm sure you guys are interested in the numbers, so here it goes in kwh:
Total solar production: 7978
Total home consumption: 8094 (675/month)
Solar power consumed: 2863 ($458 savings)
Solar sold back to grid: 5115 ($409 refund)
Bought from grid: 5231
Record day production:~50
Average daily production:~21.9
Total cost after rebates: ~$13,830
Yearly savings at status quo: $867
Years to break even: 16
The problem is that they only pay the cost of electricity when the grid buys the power back, but charge me the loaded rate for buying it. The panels have been very reliable is just set and forget.