Stryder50
Platinum Member
Also there are the costs of mining, processing raw materials, then manufacturing and transport. Much of which requires use of carbon fuels. And in many cases the issue of child labor "abuse" comes into play as well.Ultimately it's a wash. They call it renewable completely ignoring the fact that the machinery degrades and needs to be replaced. So instead of consuming hydrocarbon you're consuming silica products. I don't know how that stacks up on cost comparison. I do know that the laws of thermodynamics preclude anything that's truly renewable because there's always some form of consumption.
Play this out versus useful lifespan and supposed savings over other sources of electric power, and they barely pencil out economically.
That aside, in areas where there is a lot of annual sunshine they might earn their keep. Especially if other forms are scarce or more expensive.