http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:/2009/02/25/cheap-and-green-electricity-from-solar-cells-%e2%80%94-perhaps-possibly-maybe/ Top Technology news Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:30:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:/2009/02/25/cheap-and-green-electricity-from-solar-cells-%e2%80%94-perhaps-possibly-maybe/comment-page-1/#comment-162410 Andrew Cichon Thu, 05 Mar 2009 04:39:52 +0000 http://tech.blorge.com/?p=13286#comment-162410 One of the selling points is that solar PV is that it's better of the environment, less carbon. Where is the proof? These panels aren’t cheap, therefore they must have used a lot of processes and material processing , all of which requires ENERGY. Has anyone studied this? In other words, if a panel was "plugged in " as soon as it came out of the factory door and started "replacing" conventional electricity, how many months or years would it take to to replace the electricity/ENERGY needed to make it in the first place? The cost is out rageous, I calculated that a system (in USA) that reduces maybe 30% of my consumption it would take 38 years to recapture the original cost. What about ongoing and mainteanace costs? Ever seen a car battery, any battery, last more than 5 years? AC. One of the selling points is that solar PV is that it’s better of the environment, less carbon. Where is the proof?
These panels aren’t cheap, therefore they must have used a lot of processes and material processing , all of which requires ENERGY.
Has anyone studied this?
In other words, if a panel was “plugged in ” as soon as it came out of the factory door and started “replacing” conventional electricity, how many months or years would it take to to replace the electricity/ENERGY needed to make it in the first place? The cost is out rageous, I calculated that a system (in USA) that reduces maybe 30% of my consumption it would take 38 years
to recapture the original cost. What about ongoing and mainteanace costs? Ever seen a car battery, any battery, last more than 5 years? AC.

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