Does the production of solar panels require more energy than the panels will produce in their lifetime? That’s a question you may hear now and again, especially when talking to those who aren’t really on board with this whole clean energy idea. So, time to set the record straight. There’s a great article over at Care2.com that addresses just this subject. The bottom line is that depending on what technology of panel you’re talking about, the energy payback point (they’ve produced as much energy as it took to manufacture the panel) is from one to four years. Check out the full link above if you want all the details.
Low(er) cost solar
The cost of solar/PV energy production continues its sharp decline…with the latest advancement being a California company named RSI that has found a way to produce large thin film PV modules at about one third less cost than current technology. This cost target wasn’t expected to be reached by the industry until 2017…and RSI plans to deliver modules in 2014. The industry is seeing lots of steps like this in both energy production and storage…things are changing fast and that bodes well for our future and the future of this planet…the big question is how quickly clean energy can be implemented and CO2 emissions eliminated…
via CleanTechnica
Apple’s Data Centers 100% powered by renewable energy
Apple has reached a cool milestone…their data centers, historically facilities of massive power consumption, are now powered by 100% renewable energy! It has accomplished this by building large solar arrays, building a fuel cell power plant, and also purchasing renewable energy credits from its energy suppliers. It’s not just good for the environment…the more a company can rely on already-installed solar panels, the more predicable (and lower) operating costs become over the life of those panels. It just makes good business sense, if you can afford the initial investment.
Abu Dhabi now home to the world’s largest Concentrated Solar Power Plant
The world’s largest concentrated solar power plant has been switched on in Abu Dhabi recently. At a cost of about $600 million, it covers almost a square mile and will generate enough electricity to power around 20,000 homes.
Read more at inhabitat.
Don’t expect this ‘world’s largest’ title to last though. California will soon be home to some mega-plants, each powering around 100,000 homes (though not expected to be operational until 2016).
Small-scale investing in solar
Interested in investing in solar, but at a smaller level than some multi-megawatt facility? Then check out Mosaic. I’m not affiliated with them and am not a current investor, but it’s a neat business model that I thought I’d pass along. They treat your investment like a loan, to fund smaller scale solar energy projects. Most projects listed are returning 4.5%, so it’s not some get rich quick scheme, but not a bad investment all in all.