PV Gap

Helen Said:

Do solar panels require more energy during manufacturing than they produce over their lifetime?

We Answered:

There is a study conducted by Giacomo Bizzarri of the University of Ferrara and Gianluca Morini of the University of Bologna found that the COST of installing solar panels over their lifespan is 2.5 time MORE than the cost of purchasing the power they produce.

They more importantly stated that they "...found that the total energy produced over a two-year period outweighs the energy used in manufacture, installation, and maintenance. Their analysis also shows that the manufacture and use of PV panels produces less pollution than fossil fuel based electricity generation."

So there is your answer, they are only more expensive and only now. A few years back gas was only $1.50/gallons here in the USA. Things change quickly. If electricity costs increase by 300% over the next 20-25 years, this study may need to be revised!