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The most expensive is probably solar cells. Wind power is expensive too, compared with fossil fuel power or nuclear, and has to be subsidised to make it practicable as part of a power network. This of course may change in the future if fossil fuels go on getting more expensive due to increased world demand and dwindling reserves.
Solar cells (photo-voltaic) convert sunlight into electricity directly using silicon crystals-these are described as 'poly-crystalline PV panels'. They produce DC current at a low voltage depending how many cells are connected in series but usually at 12v DC. To feed into a normal domestic system this has to be converted to 110v 60 Hz in N America, or 240v 50 Hz in Europe. This requires a piece of electronic kit called an inverter which effectively does the opposite of a rectifier, ie converts DC to AC. Assuming the house is connected to the electricity grid, surplus solar output can be exported, if the electricity supply company runs such a scheme. This is useful as obviously max solar power will be generated in the middle of the day, and not at all at night when max domestic demand usually occurs. An alternative is to have a large lead-cell battery which can be charged at 12v DC directly during the day and used at night. This would be the preferred system if in a remote area without a grid connection.
The drawback of course is the cost of the installation. I only have figures for the UK in 2008. A typical cost of installation of a 2KWp (ie 2KW peak) system given by my electricity company is from (that feared word!) £11,848 (double the figure for US dollars). This includes an inverter but not a battery. In UK conditions this is expected to generate savings in the electricity bill of £175 per annum. There is also in the UK an income of £68 pa from a Renewable Obligation Certificate-but I discount that, it is not a real saving and has to be paid from taxation by other people, it's just an incentive to install the system.
So you are left with spending about £12,000 for an annual saving of £175. Now I rate that as expensive. The payback time comes to 68 years, assuming nothing goes wrong in that time and no maintenance is required. I'm not sure what evidence there is for long time durability of these panels, but I'm sure the manufacturers won't guarantee them for that length of time. Probably 10 years max. In fact no manufacturer can even promise to be in business in 68 years time! So if you go in for such a system it can only be because you are a dedicated 'green', and moreover have deep pockets.
Of course the UK is not noted for abundant sunshine. In Arizona or Australia the situation may be much more favourable, and also in remote places the costs may look different if the alternative is hauling fossil fuel over a long distance to power a diesel engine for example.
What else can I help you with?
What is expensive because it requires a lot of energy.?
desalination in general is expansive because it requires a lot of energy.
What is the least efficient way of making electricity?
Burning fossil fuels like coal is one of the least efficient ways to generate electricity because it produces a lot of pollution and waste heat, resulting in a low overall efficiency.
What material is a condutor of electricity?
Materials that allow electricity to pass through them easily, such as metals. The best conductor is silver, but other metals such as copper and iron are also good conductors, while being a lot cheaper.
Name a substance that needs a lot of energy to raise its temperature?
Water is a substance that requires a lot of energy to raise its temperature because it has a high specific heat capacity. This means it can absorb a significant amount of heat energy before its temperature increases.
Why is it that an object with momentum is hard to stop?
An object with momentum is hard to stop because momentum is a measure of how much motion an object has. When an object is in motion, it has momentum, and stopping it requires applying a force in the opposite direction. The greater the momentum of an object, the more force is needed to bring it to a stop.
What Is expensive because it requires lot of electricity?
Desalination
Desalination is expensive because it requires what?
Desalination requires a lot of of energy or electricity, which makes it expensive.
Is expensive because it requires a lot of electricity .?
Desalination.
Is desalination expensive because it requires a lot of energy?
yes
Is desalination is expensive because it requires a lot of energy?
yes
What is expensive because it requires a lot of energy.?
desalination in general is expansive because it requires a lot of energy.
Do you use use electricity a lot?
we use electricity a lot because we use it for the lights and refridgerator,etc.
How much would you save on hydroelectricity?
A difficult question because a company that makes hydro electricity would not sell it any cheaper than conventional electricity. It needs oil to be a lot more expensive than the present glut price for hydro electricity to be economic.
What is the most expensive body piercing and why?
The most expensive piercings are any piercings that have to do with the genital area. This is because it requires a lot more work and patience to get it just right. But the extra money is definitely worth knowing that you are with a certifed piercer.
Why is distillation expensive?
Distillation isn't expensive. Distilled spirits are expensive because of the taxes levied on them by governments.
Can power ranger be true?
The process of power gained in S.P.D. is showed might be true, but they are very much expensive. The way it is showed in Zeo, Mighty Morphin and other natural powers, they are true only in dreams. Zords can be made which again requires a lot of money, great quality of electricity and electricity. And in a world where there is scarecity of electricity, these things might not be possible.
What are the disadvantages and of ventilator?
The disadvantages are you have to replace them a lot because they get dirty. It can be a lot of work and get expensive.
