![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Payback time for solar panels
Nov. 22nd, 2010 12:54 pmAccording to this study, the payback time in energy costs for solar panels on roof tops is around 4 years. However, I'm not sure what latitudes they're considering. (and I'm not sure of the date either)
This summary of research from the Centre for Alternative Technology estimates that even in Europe, the carbon footprint of photovoltaic panels is about a tenth of producing electricity by other means. (assuming a 25-30 year lifespan of the panels)
Factors influencing the results include the carbon cost of mountings for panels (which used to be higher when aluminium was the main metal used), the energy mix in the country you live in - the carbon saving is greater if your country burns a lot of coal, carbon cost of labour and maintenance, energy losses in distribution, the carbon cost of making the glass panels, etc.
(There's also interesting details of reductions in heavy metal pollution if you follow this link here.)
In short, I'm feeling a lot more positive about solar panels than I used to. (But I still think roof-mounted wind turbines are useless)
There are still issues of whether the electricity is produced at times of day when it is useful, but I think they may well be useful overall - especially if battery technology continues to improve.
This summary of research from the Centre for Alternative Technology estimates that even in Europe, the carbon footprint of photovoltaic panels is about a tenth of producing electricity by other means. (assuming a 25-30 year lifespan of the panels)
Factors influencing the results include the carbon cost of mountings for panels (which used to be higher when aluminium was the main metal used), the energy mix in the country you live in - the carbon saving is greater if your country burns a lot of coal, carbon cost of labour and maintenance, energy losses in distribution, the carbon cost of making the glass panels, etc.
(There's also interesting details of reductions in heavy metal pollution if you follow this link here.)
In short, I'm feeling a lot more positive about solar panels than I used to. (But I still think roof-mounted wind turbines are useless)
There are still issues of whether the electricity is produced at times of day when it is useful, but I think they may well be useful overall - especially if battery technology continues to improve.
