keithfeather

Market to Shine on Solar Industry Through 2011

Uh oh, I just checked the FPL specs for their big projects just completed. It looks like the connected cost is actually over $7.00 per watt! I'm shocked, shocked I tell you! That means that after you add up all the CO2 released into the atmosphere from the production of the cells, the construction of the plant, the allocated construction of all the equipment used, mining, transportation etc, that a PV plant will release 300 tons of CO2 per connected kw, and reduce emissions by 2 tons per yer per kw, so the cells will have to operate without maintenance for over 150 years just to break even! Heavens no! I am shocked!

Market to Shine on Solar Industry Through 2011

If you can connect 1kw of solar capacity to the grid for $1.00, the overall balance is this:

CO2 generated to produce all the energy to install 1kw: 75 tons
CO2 avoided per year based on 300days, 8 hours, 75% output: 3 tons

So to break even at $1 per kw connected to the grid will only take 25 years to break even on the CO2 balance.

Solar Companies Overseas: Where the Sun Don't Shine No More

If PV was competitive, the production plants would be off the grid, no? Even if just as a PR ploy, since that would not iinclude the fossil fuel used to mine, transport, bring employees to the site, ship, etc. But it just won't work where one can be on the grid.

Misinformed? no. Analytical

Solar Companies Overseas: Where the Sun Don't Shine No More

If PV made sense, the production plants would not be connected to the grid. Until then, it is merely a transfer of peak power to opportunity power; a sham.