The latest figure I've seen is that a PV module can generate as much
power as it took to produce it in as little as 2-3 years for the most
efficient modules. With a life expectancy of at least 20-25 years,
that's not a bad payback. I'll try to find the reference if you'd like.
Doug Fields
"Paul S. Hetrick" wrote:
> Not long ago it was certainly true that photovoltaics took more
> energy to make than they can produce in their lifetimes. I'm not
> saying that it's still true, but the last rebuttal I read (I think
> from Solarex, but it's not mentioned at all in their current FAQ)
> wasn't very convincing. The rebuttal didn't count making the glass,
> aluminum frame or growing the silicon crystals. True the Si was
> recycled, but my understanding is that most bad wafers are recycled
> anyhow. Since they are using the wafers to make solar cells, the
> computer industry just has to refine more Si from sand. The rebuttal
> also assumed that the cells would be working at their rated output
> for a higher percentage of the time than one will find outside of an
> equatorial desert.
>
> I haven't been convinced yet that when you take manufacturing into
> consideration, that photoelectric power is any less harmful than
> fossil fuels.
>
> Having said that, I'll most likely be wintering in a camping trailer
> with solar power. The trailer is wired for 12V and it's not sitting
> where I want the drop for the house site. So solar electric does
> have it's place, but being 'green' may not be a very good reason to
> pay the premium for it.
>
> ==>paul
