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Downsizer Forum Index -> Energy Efficiency and Construction/Major Projects

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mochyn

Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 06 10:10 am Post subject: Solar power
Someone out there must know: I've heard that photo-voltaic cells use more energy in their production than they could ever produce. How true is this? If at all... Or is it just out of date info? (Hopefully)

dougal

Joined: 15 Jan 2005
Posts: 7184
Location: South Kent

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 06 10:55 am Post subject:

I think all such energy content statements need to be taken with a large pinch of saltpetre. Its very difficult to get any accurate figures. And when you start thinking about the energy involved in the factory and its equipment, and the stuff used to make those... all the way back to Adam digging and Eve spinning, its an impossible task.

Its true that making PV cells uses quite a lot of energy, and some nasty chemicals. Its basically similar to silicon chip manufacture, but aiming to make cells that are measured in square centimetres, rather than square millimetres.
Its also true that they don't actually produce very much energy.
But the cells themselves ought to last for ages. (Its the enclosures and the conversion electronics that are likely to give up first.)
And they *do* produce premium energy - electricity. And so are very useful indeed to those living off grid.
They are very appealing in the eyes of unscientific politicians. Who see "free energy" and hand out grants...
But for most folks in the UK, despite the grants, putting your � into other energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies is likely to prove more effective both for carbon and money saving.

homeinsulationservices

Joined: 19 Jan 2006
Posts: 24

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 06 6:14 pm Post subject: Re: Solar power

mochyn wrote:

Someone out there must know: I've heard that photo-voltaic cells use more energy in their production than they could ever produce. How true is this? If at all... Or is it just out of date info? (Hopefully)

If your looking at retrofiting PV and expecting a payback on your money then you will not get it on PV.

If its new build then maybe, look at my thred in classified title, downsizer offer.

to much to go into here but call me if you want

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