Many Solar Energy opponents say “The energy balance is negative: Manufacturing a PV system consumes more energy than it ever produces in its life time.”

The fact is: Photovoltaic (PV) systems, like every other product, do need energy for manufacturing. But PV systems pay back this energy input within 1 to 3 years, depending on cell type and location. During its expected lifetime of 30 years, the PV system produces therefore 10 to 30 times the energy it originally consumed.

Energy Pay-Back Time for PV systems

(rooftop system, irrad. 1700 resp. 1000 kWh/m2/yr)

Technology improvements which can be realized within a few years, will result in energy pay back times (in Southern Europe) well below one year for all major cell types.

The figure shows the current energy pay back time for PV systems using different cell technologies and installed either in Central Europe or Southern Europe.

Therefore the correct statement is: “The energy balance of solar PV is clearly positive today and will further improve as technology progresses.”

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