Residential photovoltaics; an investment vehicle for retiree's II

The question “Can a residential photovoltaic system provide all of the elements that would qualify it for consideration as a component of a retiree's investment portfolio?” was raised during the 4^th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion. To address this question one must consider the maturity of the technology, investment amount, derived revenue stream and overall risk. These factors can then be compared to conventional investment vehicles. A retirement investment vehicle should be capable of providing an income stream, which keeps pace with inflation for an indefinite period. Events since the above referenced have provided additional data that support the premise that an investment in residential photovoltaics will provide a reliable rate of return, immunity from inflation all tax free for a retiree.