Some Debate on the Pro's of PV
PV energy is a completely clean, inexhaustible source of electricity that does not require the extraction or consumption of fossil fuels. Photovoltaic modules are extremely safe and reliable products, with minimal failure rates and projected service lifetimes of 20 to 30 years.
Solar energy is a fairly inexhaustible soure of energy, but that does not necessarily translate to PV being the same. PV systems
- Expensive- Very high initial cost. System components are expensive to replace.
- High Tech- Require a skilled labor force for proper operation and maintenance.
- High energy cost- Require much energy to produce (although not more then they will eventual produce themselves, contrary to some rumors)
- Production Pollution- Fossil fuels are extensively utilized to extract, produce and transport PV panels. These processes also entail corresponding sources of pollution.