Learning About PV: The Myths of Solar Electricity

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/myths.html

Learning About PV: The Myths of Solar Electricity

Solar electricity, or photovoltaics (PV), is a thriving business worldwide. It makes good on its promise of "delivering clean, reliable, on-demand power."

Research progress continues, better positioning current and next-generation photovoltaic (PV) technologies to meet future electricity needs. But these successes seem to spark some criticisms and questions. Some are warranted. Some are based on partial truths. And others are perpetuated from urban legends or myths about the technology.

Common among these criticisms and questions are the seven myths of solar electricity:

• Myth 1: Solar electricity cannot serve any significant fraction of U.S. or world electricity needs.
• Myth 2: Solar electricity can do everything — right now!
• Myth 3: Photovoltaics cannot significantly offset environmental emissions.
• Myth 4: Photovoltaics is a polluting industry.
• Myth 5: Photovoltaics is merely a cottage industry, appealing only to small niche markets.
• Myth 6: PV is too expensive and will never compete with "the big boys" of power generation. Besides, you can never get the energy out that it takes to produce the system.
• Myth 7: Nothing remains to be done. Essential R&D is complete, the product works — just close the laboratory doors and let industry fight it out.

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[yourout]

1. I am in the process of building a solar power WIFI repeater to get broadband to a brother...

in a place were there is none.