Solar energy is bad.

[lost-and-found]

that's one of the points I'm trying to make in my senior research paper. Well, it's not bad, but the current technology does not allow it to be a full replacement for other energy sources. My main point focuses on the destruction to the environment during the production of a solar cell, and how the process of making solar equipment hurts the environment more than saves throughout the lifetime of the cell. I seem to be having a hard time finding concrete evidence, sources, etc. WOuld any of you have good links to the material?

[vass0922]

are you trying to make a point? I think 1 thread is enough
I'd suggest PM'ing a mod

[lost-and-found]

sorry vass, I thought my PC froze and kept on pushing the button all threads reported

[Creatures]

yeah i like solar energy
but one thread would be enough

Creatures

[Epidemic]

Solar energy come in many forms.

A mirrored array with a steam plant generate more power than the power required to manufacture it.

I have often wondered about the life cycle of solar cells though.

[lost-and-found]

20 years I think.

edit- don't take me wrong, I'm not saing solar energy is BAD. I'm saying that our current technology does not allow it to become the sole source of electricity. I'm not saying it will never catch on, I'm saying we must keep on researching more materials, that are cheaper, and more efficient, before we start the whole solar movement.

[Epidemic]

By life cycle I mean energy needed to create it.

Energy it produces.

ecological impact of making it

ecological impact of disposing of it.

Compared with ecological impact equivelent
power production by other means ie fossil fuels.

[lost-and-found]

oh, IC. yeah, my main point revolves around the environmental and economic costs of production of the device. But I seem to be having a hard time finding concrete info.

[no1_vern]

I am guessing you mean solar ELECTRIC power cells. Solar thermal units are very efficient at heating water, living space, etc.

I think with all things being equal(they arent, Ill get to this later), you will save money with a solar panels. The usable life of a solar panel under normal useage will be 35 years. Most if not all are waranted to produce their "rated power production" for 25 years. Since a solar electrical panel costs 400.00 to make a panel that will produce

Quote "Rated Watts: 140 watts @ 25°C Rated Power: 33.0 volts @ 4.25 amps Open Circuit Volts: 42.8 volts @ 25°C Short Circuit Amps: 4.7amps @ 25°C Warranty: within 20% of rated output for 25 yrs. Weight: 38 lb/14.8 kg · 36 Powermax 5" semi-round single-crystalline cells. Voltage capability 24VDC. UL Listed / FM approved / TÜV /CE. · 25 year power warranty for the larger 140 watt modules"


You can figure on getting 6 (from 4 to 8) hours/a day(depending on location) times your locals mean number of days of sunshine in this case 300 for south georgia times 25 years equals 6.3 million watts at the rated life span. Divide by 1000 to get Kilowats to get 6300 kilowatts. Here in south Ga. a Kw goes for 11 cents or 400.00 for solar and 693.00 to buy elec from our local coop.
I will save about $293.00 over the life of the panel.

BUT
1. Electricity doenst cost the same everywhere while I pay .11 many people elsewhere pay 20-30 cents for a Kw of juice. There the panels would be very usefull but here in my backyard they would be a pain.
2. The cost of the panels arent the only cost, you must maintain your grid, including xformer, batteries, intertie if you want one, etc.

These will get you started I hope :

http://www.solarbuzz.com/companylistings/plants.htm


http://www.solarbuzz.com/Technologies.htm

[samwichse]

And some people pay .06 cents per Kw

I'd think that solar panels would do their best in the south where those super hot summer days would also be the best for producing electricity to offset the massive amount of air conditioning running.