New Solar Technologies Fueled by Hot Markets

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• Life-cycle Solar Cell Efficiency Guest (Tom C) on 07/05/2006 at 12:00 AM

  Posts: 1

  A topic seldom mentioned in solar energy discussions is full Life-cycle Efficiency. Not too many years ago, with crystaline Si, cells required more energy than they produced over their lifetime. While still being useful for load shifting, thats not a home-run situation with respect to energy independence, global warming, etc. What is the full life-cycle efficiency of current day cells? Rate this comment: (Reply)

  • 	take a look Guest (L) on 07/05/2006 at 12:00 AM
    Posts: 1	http://www.energybulletin.net/17219.html Rate this comment: (Reply)

  • Life-cycle efficiency Guest (Eric) on 07/05/2006 at 12:00 AM

    Posts: 1

    Arguments like this are repeated about alternative sources of energy with tiresome frequency, as if proponents were not capable of simple economic projections. At least nobody (yet) has pointed out that solar installers fall off of roofs, and this cost must be factored in.  Life-cycle constraints (and cost of accidents) apply equally to new coal mines, oil wells, refineries and nuclear plants.  Rate this comment: (Reply)

• Life-cycle Solar Cell Efficiency Guest (Tom C) on 07/05/2006 at 12:00 AM

  Posts: 1

  A topic seldom mentioned in solar energy discussions is full Life-cycle Efficiency. Not too many years ago, with crystaline Si, cells required more energy than they produced over their lifetime. While still being useful for load shifting, thats not a home-run situation with respect to energy independence, global warming, etc. What is the full life-cycle efficiency of current day cells? Rate this comment: (Reply)

  • 	LIFE-CYCLE Guest (BILL) on 07/05/2006 at 12:00 AM
    Posts: 1	I have variously heard 3 years and 3.5 years to produce the energy it took to produce the cells. Rate this comment: (Reply)

  • New energy Guest (Lee Dekker) on 07/05/2006 at 12:00 AM

    Posts: 1

    A solar cell requires energy to produce, energy to deploy, energy to maintain and eventually energy to decommission and to recycle. If the energy consumed, between production and recycling, is less than the energy produced during the lifetime of the cell, a gain of "new energy", or a "net energy gain" has been achieved. That's the equation and it follows for all solar cells regardless of their longevity. Rate this comment: (Reply)

    • Life cycle Guest (gary) on 07/05/2006 at 12:00 AM

      Posts: 1

      We should look at the life cycle of all energy production including the collateral costs associated with pollution and destruction of the environment. I think sometimes we take a much to myopic view when it meets the needs of the discussion. Just make sure energy costs associated with resulting health problems are factored in your cold hard calculations about energy net gain and loss. What if the solar cell factory was completely powered by solar energy? Rate this comment: (Reply)

      • 	Life cycle Guest (Bob S.) on 07/06/2006 at 12:00 AM
        Posts: 1	That is an idea I have been waiting to here come about.  A solar cell mfg plant that covers its roof and parking lot with solar cells.  To me that would indicate that their method produced efficient economical power. Rate this comment: (Reply)