Comments on: The True Cost of Photovoltaics http://www.ecoworld.com/blog/2006/05/18/the-true-cost-of-photovoltaics/ Ed Ring's EcoWorld Posts Sun, 5 Jul 2009 04:36:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Solar Thermal > Photovoltaics? « Hendobear18’s Blog http://www.ecoworld.com/blog/2006/05/18/the-true-cost-of-photovoltaics/comment-page-1/#comment-95986 Solar Thermal > Photovoltaics? « Hendobear18’s Blog Thu, 14 May 2009 15:08:50 +0000 http://www.ecoworld.com/blog/05-18-2006/the-true-cost-of-photovoltaics/#comment-95986 [...] a single steam turbine. There is no cost of the photovoltaics (which have been estimated to go for 21.6 cents per kWh, whereas coal/other nonrenewables are going for as low as .04 cents per kWh), and there is [...] [...] a single steam turbine. There is no cost of the photovoltaics (which have been estimated to go for 21.6 cents per kWh, whereas coal/other nonrenewables are going for as low as .04 cents per kWh), and there is [...]

]]> By: Pete Turner http://www.ecoworld.com/blog/2006/05/18/the-true-cost-of-photovoltaics/comment-page-1/#comment-89819 Pete Turner Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:54:51 +0000 http://www.ecoworld.com/blog/05-18-2006/the-true-cost-of-photovoltaics/#comment-89819 The argument made is an apples and oranges argument. What's the cost of an "n" megawatt coal, oil or gas plant vs the cost of the same size solar plant. Amortize this cost over a given period of time. Add to that cost the cost of fuel, maintenance and operating each type of plant for a year. This will give you the "true" cost of one type vs another. Social costs are very difficult to quantify, however one might argue that the subsidy paid to the plant type by the government might equal the social cost. Add that in and see which is less expensive. The argument made is an apples and oranges argument. What’s the cost of an “n” megawatt coal, oil or gas plant vs the cost of the same size solar plant. Amortize this cost over a given period of time. Add to that cost the cost of fuel, maintenance and operating each type of plant for a year. This will give you the “true” cost of one type vs another.

Social costs are very difficult to quantify, however one might argue that the subsidy paid to the plant type by the government might equal the social cost. Add that in and see which is less expensive.

]]> By: dean http://www.ecoworld.com/blog/2006/05/18/the-true-cost-of-photovoltaics/comment-page-1/#comment-68029 dean Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:10:21 +0000 http://www.ecoworld.com/blog/05-18-2006/the-true-cost-of-photovoltaics/#comment-68029 21 cents per kWh is a comprehensive model -- you basically calcualte all the energy generated over the lifetime of the asset(s) you purchase, calculate costs (initial cost and ongoing maintenance/replacement). subtract out rebates or other incentives. add cost of financing (or opportunity cost of sinking your cash on day #1). then divide. and you get 21 cents per kWh. the logic in the article regarding externalities is a bit off-the mark. if a coal-fired plant, can generate GW's of power for 50 years or longer on a shoestring operating budget, and if the utility bill includes fees for distribution, transmission, and servicing, then you have the relvant comparsion already. the externalities that are not accounted for are the environmental and societal impacts of coal (of which there are many above and beyond greenhouse gases). bringing these externalities into the cost of coal may make the difference.... so, what is the true "cost" of a ton of CO2? how many tons of CO2 are produced per kWh from a coal plant? 21 cents per kWh is a comprehensive model — you basically calcualte all the energy generated over the lifetime of the asset(s) you purchase, calculate costs (initial cost and ongoing maintenance/replacement). subtract out rebates or other incentives. add cost of financing (or opportunity cost of sinking your cash on day #1).

then divide.

and you get 21 cents per kWh.

the logic in the article regarding externalities is a bit off-the mark.

if a coal-fired plant, can generate GW’s of power for 50 years or longer on a shoestring operating budget, and if the utility bill includes fees for distribution, transmission, and servicing, then you have the relvant comparsion already.

the externalities that are not accounted for are the environmental and societal impacts of coal (of which there are many above and beyond greenhouse gases).

bringing these externalities into the cost of coal may make the difference…. so, what is the true “cost” of a ton of CO2? how many tons of CO2 are produced per kWh from a coal plant?

]]> By: embutler http://www.ecoworld.com/blog/2006/05/18/the-true-cost-of-photovoltaics/comment-page-1/#comment-41669 embutler Fri, 05 Oct 2007 16:54:01 +0000 http://www.ecoworld.com/blog/05-18-2006/the-true-cost-of-photovoltaics/#comment-41669 yes it is nice to avoid the long line electical grid charges in your home solar roof installation cost...unfortunately you still need the grid connection unless you are gonna put in a huge battery backup for those cloudy days.. and some of the costs are offloaded onto the grid when the electric co is forced to pay a price for your contribution to the grid.. yes it is nice to avoid the long line electical grid charges in your home solar roof installation cost…unfortunately you still need the grid connection
unless you are gonna put in a huge battery backup for those cloudy days..
and some of the costs are offloaded onto the grid when the electric co is forced to pay a price for your contribution to the grid..

]]> By: David http://www.ecoworld.com/blog/2006/05/18/the-true-cost-of-photovoltaics/comment-page-1/#comment-514 David Mon, 12 Jun 2006 15:24:33 +0000 http://www.ecoworld.com/blog/05-18-2006/the-true-cost-of-photovoltaics/#comment-514 I don't know, 21.7 cents per kwh installed is coming pretty close to cost effective. I currently pay 16 cents per kwh in Houston, TX. If I can get my own PV electricity at 22 cents per kwh, I only need another 8 cents to make it worth my while. I don’t know, 21.7 cents per kwh installed is coming pretty close to cost effective. I currently pay 16 cents per kwh in Houston, TX. If I can get my own PV electricity at 22 cents per kwh, I only need another 8 cents to make it worth my while.

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