Talk:Penny a kWh
Revision as of 14:14, 13 August 2008 by 80.134.41.97 (talk) (New page: I vaguely remember that manufacturing of a solar panel requires as much energy as the panel can "produce" in 10 years. Above the earth's athmosphere (which consumes at least 50% of the sun...)
I vaguely remember that manufacturing of a solar panel requires as much energy as the panel can "produce" in 10 years. Above the earth's athmosphere (which consumes at least 50% of the sunlight on a bright day), and perhaps in an orbit where the sat can avoid the earth's shadow, this might go down a break-even point of maybe 2 or 3 years, compared to a earth-based place with reliable good weather.
This leaves the question of the expected lifetime of a solar panel in space. I've seen solar panel arrays on earth where a significant number of paneds have already deceased after rougly 10 years of service (yup, not even reaching the break-even point). Space might be a much better environment. Is it? --80.134.41.97 10:14, 13 August 2008 (EDT)