[mdlug] I found a 20 inch monitor today

[Dave Arbogast]

Aaron Kulkis wrote:

>
>This is why photoelectric cells are not economical up
>here in Michigan -- the energy input to make the wafers
>is so high, and in operation, the energy output so
>low, that it takes YEARS just to recover the energy
>used to make the device in the first place.  And
>if the thing breaks (they're quite fragile) before
>lasting that long, then this so-called "energy
>saving" device has actually consumed more energy
>than it ever produced.
>
>And that's why nobody here is going to use them
>for power production unless government clods in
>Lansing or Washington subsidize them.
>
>
>  
>
I'd say the proof is in the pudding. Next time you drive through a 
construction zone, you'll notice ALL the little trailers with flashing 
lights are no longer powered by little diesel single cylinder 
generators, but with Photovoltic. Also, more and more you will notice 
solar cells hanging off  various remote sensors and cameras. This is 
because private businesses have seen they are cost effective NOW in 
Michigan.

Yes, if you scale up to your entire house there will be a 7 - 10 year 
ROI for the entire amount, but after that you are in the free power 
zone. Most of the equipment will still be under warranty for another 15 
- 18 years....

If government was really interested in energy independence, they would 
not be granting $200M per pop to auto companies for fuel cell research. 
This money could have gone a long way to putting PV on most of the homes 
in America. The cost of PV would have dropped that much more due to 
economy of scale.  But, there is a serious governmental problem with 
this, just as diesel-hybrid cars have - you loose part of your tax base 
with PV and with 40% efficient cars. Cars that can be ran on used veggie 
oil.  Fuel Cells keep your tax base as it is not feasible for you to 
make your own hydrogen and store it at the pressures a fuel cell car 
needs. If someone made such a system, they would likely pass laws 
against it as California did with running your diesel on much clearer 
burning veggie oil.  Got to keep the tax base.

-dave