PV Gap

Lillie Said:

Short term loans (4-6 weeks) for materials!?

We Answered:

Unfortunately, if the relationship you have with your bank is not sufficient to enable them to loan you the money, you aren't going to get nearly as warm a welcome from another bank. So, banks are pretty much out of the question.

For that amount of money, you *might* be able to max out credit cards... if you have enough credit cards.

A "payday" loan is out of the question, as you are talking about 1500 GBP max... and they expect to be paid back quicker than a month and a half.

So... it looks like you are stuck with finding a financial backer. Either a Venture Capitalist looking for a quick return on their investment, or family members who wouldn't mind a bit of profit. And this is what you must realize... that since YOU don't have the money to finance your operation, anyone you go to, to get the money *IS* going to expect to make a profit from you using their money.

So, first accept the fact that *YOU* are not going to see the estimated profit of 2200 GBP. You might get lucky with the right backer, and you might see half of that. get that into your head. Accept it. Now, with that fact engraved in stone, start hitting up all your relatives, and friends of relatives. You are offering a return of 1100 GBP on a loan of 8700 GBP over 6 weeks. That's roughly 13% interest.... over a month and a half. That's almost putting you in the Loanshark category.... er.. being able to go to a loanshark.

That's about your best bet, considering your financial situation.

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Wendy Said:

On average, how much energy does it take to produce 1 watt of photovoltaic material?

We Answered:

The following from the National Renewable Energy Labs will help.

http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy99osti/24619.…
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/35489.…

The paper is somewhat dated, the payback time is less with current technology. Lowest energy input would likely be a thin-film manufacturing process such as employed by First Solar.