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Aside from being a very large word that is nearly
impossible to say, "Photovoltaics", also known as "PV" is the direct
conversion of light into electricity. Although there are
many other effective solar technologies, PV has captured the
public's interest, and is what most people think of
as "solar panels".
Use this page as a starting point for learning more
about PV.
First, let's be completely honest and get the negatives
out on the table:
- Compared to the current average price of electricity
from a power plant (about 8 cents per kilowatt hour),
PV electricity will cost you
roughly twice as much, based on a 25 year lifetime.
- The system will also appear expensive because you have
to bear a large capital expense up front.
- Generating enough electricity to power a home inherently
takes a large collection area.
- The most efficient way of utilizing PV,
"grid attach",
in which the electric utility buys back energy from you, and
basically acts like a giant battery, is frequently discouraged
by electric utilities (Austin is an exception). The fate of
this "net metering" after deregulation is uncertain.
- Batteries, used for energy storage, can be idiosyncratic
and short lived, compared to the rest of the system.
- As a way of displacing fossil fuel use (and pollution),
it is less cost effective than basic conservation, passive solar
techniques, and solar water heating. These should be considered first.
- Texas offers no incentives to do it.
- There is no federal tax break. A power company can write
off capital investment in a power plant, but a homeowner cannot.
These things said, PV is still a wonderful technology.
The following positive comments need to be made:
- The 1970 cost of a PV watt was $100. It is now close
to $4. In inflation adjusted dollars, this is a staggering
advance.
- It is now cheap enough to be seriously considered
as a home energy source.
- PV is an extremely rugged and reliable technology, the
power of choice in space and in remote applications.
- PV is a very long-lived technology, needing no maintenance
other than occasional washing. Expect 20-30 year lifetime.
- PV is a truly clean electric source, generating no
pollution other than that caused by its manufacturing.
- PV "locks in" electricity costs: it is immune to
future electricity price instability.
- A PV system with battery backup provides true energy
independence.
- As a status symbol, PV is far more cost effective, less
polluting and longer lived than a Lexus!
Follow these links to learn more about PV (these will
open a separate browser window):
Also, more PV links can be found on our links page.
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