PV energy payback

[Nick Carter <nick@npcimaging.com>]

>> Cliff Rassweiler wrote:
>> > I read "energy payback is 3 to 5 years " to mean the energy to produce
>the
>> > panel, rather than anything to do with dollar cost.
>>
>> Yes - that is exactly what the Home Power article was describing.
>>
>
>Sorry, my missunderstanding.  I recall reading last year that with the CA
>incentives dollar payback was in 3 to 5 years so that's what I thought you
>meant.
>
>Come to think about it, I think that was before CA increased the incentive.
>I understand they pay something like $4.50 a watt now, that means it would
>only take a year or so to end up with free electricity.


Yes, Cliff was correct... we were talking about
*energy* payback not *financial* payback, i.e. the
energy used to manufacture the modules vs the energy
that they produce over their lifetime.

I agree that *financial* payback could be twenty years
depending on where you are located but there's a great article
addressing this issue in the latest Home Power. For instance,
if we all had to pay the real cost of using fossil fuels, the payback
comparison would be radically different. Incidentally I don't work
for or have any stake in HP - I'm just a satisfied subscriber!

Currently California pays $4.50 per watt (more in LA with locally
produced panels) or up to 50% of total cost plus, I think,
15% tax rebate on the remaining amount. "Lucky" or sensible?
Nick

Dr Nick Carter,
Owner, npc Imaging and Th!nk EV driver,
3000 Cleveland Avenue, Suite 209,
Santa Rosa CA 95403-2117>>I said

nick@npcimaging.com  Tel/fax: +1 (707) 573 9361
http://www.npcimaging.com

"Continue to contaminate your bed and you will one night
suffocate in your own waste"
Chief Seattle to President Franklin Pierce, 1855

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