I don't know if other countries use them more, but I see very few solar panels in the U.S. and most of them are neglected and broken. Technology has come a long way, why aren't we putting sunshine to better use? It makes more sense to me than a windmill, and I see those things popping up quite a bit.
2006-10-04 13:58:46 · 8 answers · asked by Nc Jay 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
BECAUSE WERE AMERICANS. WE LIKE KILLING THINGS AND MESSING UP THE ENVIORNMENT TO MEET OUR POWER NEEDS.
2006-10-04 14:01:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The cost/kilowatt hour for solar power is higher than the same ratio for petroleum based power. Remember that there is a very cost prohibitive up front investment for solar power. Those cells are quite expensive. The "free" power of the sun has a substantial cost at the door.
Also you state that the technology is moving pretty fast. It is. The power production numbers per square inch is improving. Now why should anyone spend a hell of a lot of money for a technology that will be obsolete long before return on investment?
Windmill power is fairly well optimized. In other words, the windmill is as efficient as we can make it. It is a less scary investment.
2006-10-04 14:37:34 · answer #2 · answered by lmcbuilder 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First the government destroyed innovation by giving subsidies. That ran the prices up because only a few greedy companies could qualify. The second is it takes electricity to run the circulating pump. The pumps and controls fail and are too expensive to repair.
It just isn't worth the bother. Oil and natural gas are too cheap to compete with in the us.
2006-10-04 14:11:20 · answer #3 · answered by jekin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Solar Power Design Manual : http://Solar.eudko.com/?Mqc
2017-03-31 04:43:18 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the cost/performance ratio of solar panels are much higher than the engergy from other power sources in U.S. today.
2006-10-04 14:08:50 · answer #5 · answered by tom 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You didn't mention where in the US you are looking. In many parts of the US there isn't enough sunshine (too many cloudy days) to make solar power all that worthwhile.
2006-10-04 14:10:50 · answer #6 · answered by kris 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Blame it on greed. The oil giants are big boys in the political scene & wholesale conversion to other sources of energy would mean that they'll go bust.
2006-10-07 21:34:08 · answer #7 · answered by Kevin F 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because we're a capitalist nation and there's a LOT more money to be made in the oil industry than the solar power industry.
2006-10-04 14:04:57 · answer #8 · answered by captain2man 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋