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Life Cycle Analysis for Solar Panels

Discussion in 'Environmental Discussion' started by wakeman84, Apr 17, 2006.

  1. wakeman84

    wakeman84 New Member

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    Guys,

    I am doing a Life Cycle Analysis on Solar Panels for school does anybody have any links with useful information. Thanks.

    Mike
     
    #1 wakeman84, Apr 17, 2006
  2. Canuck

    Canuck Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wakeman84 @ Apr 17 2006, 04:10 PM) [snapback]241157[/snapback]</div>
    Mike, I just googled "Life Cycle Analysis of Solar Panels" and it came up with a link to NASA .... seems like a few links there.
    gary
     
    #2 Canuck, Apr 17, 2006
  3. jimnjo

    jimnjo Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wakeman84 @ Apr 17 2006, 07:10 PM) [snapback]241157[/snapback]</div>

    Home Power Magazine # 80 (that would be a few years back) did a tech article on that. This is the introduction: Critics of solar energy have been
    known to claim that it takes more
    energy to produce photovoltaic
    (PV) modules than the modules will
    produce in their lifetime. We’ve
    conducted a detailed and scientific
    empirical study to look into this
    question. We found that the skeptics’
    assertions are false. PVs recoup their
    production energy in two to four years,
    and go on to produce clean, renewable
    energy for twenty to thirty years or
    more!
     
    #3 jimnjo, Apr 24, 2006
  4. Bob Allen

    Bob Allen Captainbaba

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wakeman84 @ Apr 18 2006, 07:10 AM) [snapback]241157[/snapback]</div>
    What is the life cycle for a solar panel? Are you talking about going from the raw silicon in the ground to the eventual need to replace the panel when it dies? The guys who installed our solar panels told us that there is an array they know about that was installed in the late 50's which is still running. Our panels are warranted to produce 80 percent of their rated power after 25 years of service. Long life cycle.

    B
     
    #4 Bob Allen, Apr 24, 2006
  5. wakeman84

    wakeman84 New Member

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    Life cycle analysis is tracking the resources, fuel, etc... used to produce and dispose of solar panels starting with silicon in the ground and ending with either the recycling or disposal of the panels after their useful life.

    Mike
     
    #5 wakeman84, Apr 24, 2006
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