Chris asks…

How efficient/cost-effective would it be for solar power generation to be used on a massive scale?

Although solar/photovoltaic panels are still quite inefficient, why not use them on a massive scale, in places like Australia or the Sahara where there is bright sunlight nealry all the time? Surely solar farms on a collossal scale would: a) find a use for huge areas of otherwise useless desert, and b) generate enough electricity for the entire country, allowing it to do away with power stations? Or would the overall cost be too great – surely huge projects like these would help to lower the cost of photovoltaic panels?

Sam Deane answers:

Photo voltaic cells are an ecological disaster, costing (read using lots of resources to manufacture) a lot, and they have a limited life. They are uneconomic which is why solar farms use mirrors reflecting light to a central tower or to water pipes, where the high temperatures generated heat water to drive a turbine.
In a hostile environment like the sahara, photovoltaic cells or mirrors would be sand blasted into oblivion.

Robert asks…

how much is the cost of Chinese photovoltaic solar panel /m2?

Sam Deane answers:

Depends on the model about £50

Nancy asks…

photovoltaic solar panel system?

What is the average installation labor cost for photovoltaic solar panel system, on a house that is 2000 Sq. Ft. Who installed it, how long did it take.

Sam Deane answers:

It depends on the size of the system. $3/watt is a typical installation price in most parts of the country, after rebates are considered. In wealthier areas, or where rebates are higher, it may be more. That’s only for the labor, not the materials. With materials included, it will be more like $8/watt.

If you want to see a breakdown of how much our system costed, it’s at http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/roderick/solar/photovoltaic.html . But we self-installed, so it’s not truly a fair comparison.

Ken asks…

solar panels..photovoltaic ..what system is recommended for western pa?

i am a roofer with other talents ..i want to explore solar panels with photovoltaic principle for electricty..inquiring about cost..i want to do the installation my self

Sam Deane answers:

WPA is a tough place especially in the winter with lack of light and snow plus energy storage for overnight is a problem. The last I looked it was about $8K in raw materials. From what I co

Susan asks…

Just how do the BNP will get the tax payer to fund the solar panels?

Another BNP pledge. “Put solar panels on all public buildings. We must increase our use of renewable energy. We would therefore promote the development, production and use of photovoltaic panels.” It costs several thousand pounds for photovoltaics. Just how much will it cost for all of Londons hospitals, schools, town halls, council houses, social services offices, tax offices, job centres, children’s homes, probation offices, council offices, etc
Slight typing error in the question, but I am sure you are all grown up enough to realise that!
snakepit999, it doesn’t matter whether or not I am a BNP supporter, but as it happens, I think the BNP are a load of tosh (along with most political parties of both left and right leanings). I personally would love to see more renewables used, but I am not sure the tax payer would be willing to fork out the money for solar panels on all public buildings. I am merely pointing out that the BNP’s policies are laughable, not just on immigration. Don’t get me wrong, I think we do have an immigration problem here in the U.K, but I don’t think the BNP are the answer.
Netzero, who is going to fund it initially? Yes, solar panels should in theory pay for themselves, however the initial cost will be gigantic

Sam Deane answers:

But the BNP can promise what they want, secure in the knowledge that they will never have to deliver. The British people will not elect a single BNP MP, as they know that the BNP are a bunch of racist thugs.

Here’s one promise that Nick Griffin would try to keep, however (no apology for repeating it)

“Without the White race nothing matters [other right-wing parties] believe that the answer to the race question is integration and a futile attempt to create “Black Britons”, while we affirm that non-Whites have no place here at all and will not rest until every last one has left our land.”

EDIT REDMONK: Sceptic hasn’t said “Livingstone will probably get in again”. I know I shouldn’t quarrel when you finally admit I’m probably right, but you’re making that one up.

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