PV FAQs: What is the Energy Payback for PV?
So, in answer to the question about the practicality of using PV for utility power generation—the answer is, yes, ground-mounted PV offers the same attractive energy payback.
Energy payback estimates for both rooftop and ground-mounted PV systems are roughly the same, depending on the technology and type of framing used. Paybacks for multicrystalline modules are 4 years for systems using recent technology and 2 years for anticipated tech-nology.
Based on a solar- grade feedstock, Japanese researchers Kato et al. calculated a multi-crystalline payback of about 2 years (adjusted for the U.S. solar resource). Palz and Zibetta also calculated an energy payback of about 2 years for current multicrystalline-silicon PV.
Thus, the equation energy payback is simply: Energy used to make system (in kWh/unit area) ÷ Energy produced by system (in kWh/unit area-time). This is the equation that is used to calculate the numbers quoted in this FAQ and in the referenced studies.
Producing electricity with photovoltaics (PV) emits no pollution, pro-duces no greenhouse gases, and uses no finite fossil-fuel resources. The environmental benefits of PV are great. But just as we say that it takes money to make money, it also takes energy to save energy. The term “energy payback” captures this idea.
So, in answer to the question about the practicality of using PV for utility power generation—the answer is, yes, ground-mounted PV offers the same attractive energy payback.
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