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Solar panels are devices with ROI - after a certain time you will have profit, though we are talking about years.
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I suppose if you sell electricity at the couture prices to PETA/SCRYPT bagholders you would. Otherwise, not so much.
That's why real power companies don't run solar cells unless they're subsidized
Yeah, but i was talking about private usage.
The free generating of electricity will save you money which you would have to pay for the same else.
Why energy companies dont use it is indeed like you say. Other forms of energy are just cheaper but are also extremly more harmful to the enviroment
Meh. Manufacture of solar panels creates plenty of pollution (
here's a start), panels have a limited lifespan, require upkeep/maintenance, and, while "going solar" requires piggybacking onto conventional commercial power grid (or polluting moar by having to buy huge banks of toxic batteries), conventional power grids can do just fine without solar.
Greenwashing is so early '00.
Disagree
1. Maybe manufacturers in your country but some countries have better environmental regulations -- don't tar everyone with the same brush.
2. Limited lifespan -- nothing lasts forever but quality panels last up to 20 years
3. Up keep and maintenance -- hardly any is required. You don't even have to wash the things.
4. Going ongrid is what its all about. I'd have thought in an age of 'crowdsourcing' you might appreciate the beauty of this. Meanwhile battery technology is one of the most exciting and cutting edge areas of science and you will see some amazing breakthoughs in terms of size, storage and recharge times in the next few years. It's worth noting that some areas of battery development are actually being held back by US govt and industry due to vested interests.
5. Any generation system that relies heavily on fossil fuels is not 'doing fine' but is stuck in the 19th century. The damage to the environment by fossil fuels outweighs anything else at present -- even those hippies at the Pentagon agree
http://www.rtcc.org/2014/05/28/pentagon-clear-climate-change-is-a-national-security-issue/As for ROI -- most solar companies give their customers the bottom end of the range (playing it safe) when it comes to estimates of generation. My system generates more than was quoted and during the 'summer' (or the wet season as it is in the tropics) hits double the daily estimate. Meanwhile, energy costs will continue to increase.
Then there are more intangible benefits such as a sense of social responsibility and community contribution, which may mean little to you but have been shown to increase well-being in studies (there are a heap of papers I could include here if you are interested?).
Although there are many examples of 'greenwashing' (if you want to call someone out start with BP or HSBC), solar systems are not one of them and as the industry matures then manufacturing processes (in backwards countries like your own
) will be addressed and even greater efficiencies achieved.
But I get the feeling you are far more comfortable in your bubble of ennui.
