> I recently read that the energy required to produce a solar cell was more
> than the cell would ever actually produce within it's lifetime.

In a good location and a good cell per metre^2 that's about 1 kW x 6 hours
say x 10% x 365
= 220 odd kWH/year. Over a very optimistic 20 year lifetime that's around
$400 for a 20 watt panel which costs say $200. All figures and assumptions
are on the optimistic side. I'd guess that's in excess of the energy cost to
manufacture. In a bad location with a bad cell at a bad price I can believe
it.

Fortunately, solar panels are usually "about" being able to do something you
couldn't do otherwise so the energy cost to make them or the cost of power
made are not usually the limiting factors.



        RM

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