| Solar Energy Forum I have no doubt that we will be successful in harnessing the sun's energy.... If sunbeams were weapons of war, we would have had solar energy centuries ago. ~Sir George Porter |
12th-May-2005, 08:13 AM
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Forum Royalty
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 2,505
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If I could afford a solar panel I'd definately have one, I think they're wicked 
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19th-July-2005, 07:15 AM
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Sapling
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 5
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Looks like most of you are worried about the cost. You'll be surprised at how much the government is willing to contribute. If you live in the US, have a look at an example of the cost, taking into account insentives - http://www.facts-about-solar-energy....ergy-cost.html
Most other countries i.e. Australia also have insentives in place. Check it out!
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19th-July-2005, 07:22 AM
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Forum Royalty
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 2,505
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Good site Anita
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19th-July-2005, 09:29 AM
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Eco Warrior
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Isle of Wight
Posts: 644
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It sure seems crazy with all the sun we've been having recently that more people aren't using solar power on their properties. I'm sure it wouldn't take long to pay back your investment and would do alot for the environment!
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19th-July-2005, 09:46 AM
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Forum Royalty
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hampshire, UK
Posts: 2,620
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Simon
It sure seems crazy with all the sun we've been having recently that more people aren't using solar power on their properties. I'm sure it wouldn't take long to pay back your investment and would do alot for the environment!
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The Isle of Wight seems like an ideal location for teachers to mount solar hot water heating panels on their roofs! 
MM
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19th-July-2005, 09:54 AM
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Eco Warrior
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Isle of Wight
Posts: 644
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by MarkuisMellvile
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Simon
It sure seems crazy with all the sun we've been having recently that more people aren't using solar power on their properties. I'm sure it wouldn't take long to pay back your investment and would do alot for the environment!
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The Isle of Wight seems like an ideal location for teachers to mount solar hot water heating panels on their roofs!
MM |
Our school actually has them on the roof and they work very well
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19th-July-2005, 11:14 AM
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Forum Royalty
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: East of England
Posts: 2,322
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Something that's worrying me...
I read somewhere or other that if you do a Life-cycle analysis on PV for use in the UK, it is actually worse than using electricity from the grid - because the environmental impact of making the cells is very high. Unfortunately it was a while ago and I don't have the article anywhere. Please, does anyone know if this is true? The impact of manufacture would have to be pretty high I think... Also I doubt the LCA would take account of the potential for environmental improvements in the industry.
I've been meaning to research this thoroughly for some time, but am up to my eyes at the mo. Hence didn't have chance to check out Anita's site as thoroughly as it deserves, maybe you have something there Anita?
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20th-July-2005, 04:38 AM
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Sapling
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 5
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Hi Clare,
I'm not too sure, but do know that the UK government has set a target to meet 20% of electricity generation from renewable sources by 2020.
Guess, all things accounted for, it's the best way forward. Perhaps, if this is the case, the LCA will show better results as solar technologies improve over time.
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29th-July-2005, 02:41 PM
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Eco Warrior
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: 8,875' USA
Posts: 685
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Talk the talk, walk the walk
Solar panels jumped in price several months ago. I bought 2 Unisolar 64W for $289 each, and now they are $419. You've got to shop around, and if you hesitate, you lose. I've been totally on PV/inverters since 1998, and the system will have paid for itself in 2009. I read up and did all the work myself, and that is the ONLY way alternative energy systems will pay for themselves in a reasonable amount of time. I live in a place with 5 hrs. of winter sun, and in places with less---it gets less and less feasible. Wind and hydro are dependent on the conditions necessary for them to be feasible.
The systems are complex enough to run and maintain as to preclude most low IQ 3rd worlders from using these systems, even if built out of the kindness of heart by over-compassionate nimrods.
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29th-July-2005, 02:51 PM
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Forum Royalty
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hampshire, UK
Posts: 2,620
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Re: Talk the talk, walk the walk
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Originally Posted by mgopilot
Solar panels jumped in price several months ago.
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It was about then that the world realised that the suply of high grade silicon is outstripping demand!
Any product that relies on finite resources (in this case silicon) has limitations on the quantities that can be produced, and photovoltaics are no exception. What they currently offer though is a way of producing power that building developers find appealing on the facade or roof of their buildings.
MM
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