PV Gap

Sheila Said:

I kno solar energy is the be-all, end-all but what happens to old photovolcaic cells?

We Answered:

no you are right.... however those chemicals can also be recyclcled into new Photovotaic cells

Jamie Said:

how energy independent could one be if they were to dedicate a 40x10ft.houseboat deck to solar cells?

We Answered:

Yes solar panels are quite efficient and I suggest covering half that area with solar electric panels + one or maybe two small boat size wind generators, so hopefully you will always have some kind of electricity supply available.

I live in the Uk and have used solar cell arrays for over 10 years, past few years there price has dropped into relation with output power produced in full sunlight, at the moment I have one 50watt, one 30w, one 20watt, six 5watt solar cell panels= total 130watts & I use one 150w, one 200watt & one 600watt soft start inverters for various electrical items, I only have three low maintenance SLA batteries rated 12v dc at 26a/hr.

I power my wireless router, sky digi box, record & cd/radio system, charge my macbook twice a day (Im a heavy user), charge my iphone, run a large fan in summer over night, run a seedling heated propagator (4months a yr).

My system obviously only operates at full charging output on full sun days, during the winter output is limited but copes with most things from winter sun or the reflective snow (that is amazing).

Tim Said:

how many mega wats of energy does 100 solar cells make?

We Answered:

Most domestic solar cells produce slightly less than one watt of energy and the number of cells connected would be the only way to increase the total output. With this in mind 100 cells would only produce slightly less than 100 watts. Too expensive for large production of energy and currently they also have a short lifespan.