Comments on: US Air Force to Quadruple Their On-Base Solar Power in Four Years http://inhabitat.com/us-air-force-to-quadruple-their-on-base-solar-power-in-four-years/ Green design & eco innovation for a better world Thu, 23 May 2013 21:03:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: lazyreader http://inhabitat.com/us-air-force-to-quadruple-their-on-base-solar-power-in-four-years/comment-page-1/#comment-295795 lazyreader Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:15:42 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/?p=212933#comment-295795 And does solar power keep their jets in the air, no of course not. In a previous Inhabitat article, the Navy built a solar array across it’s parking lot at the cost of 1.9 million dollars (all Stimulus money). Designed that it will only save 30,000 dollars a year for them. Which means it will pay for it self after 63.3333 years (assuming they don’t spend those savings). If for instance they put the saved money in the bank to collect with interest. So say the payback could be under 40 years or so. But as for the panels, they’ll be obsolete in about 10 years. And removed after 15-20, Now you have to contract, pay and install new more modern ones and pay for the safe disposal of the old panels, as these high efficiency solar cells are made of gallium arsenide (arsenic compounds for all those who failed chemistry class) and germanium, not silicon. Don’t forget the cost of maintenance, cleaning and service. Where’s the cost saving. All it will do is generate only a fraction of the power needed to run the base. It’ll look good when politicians stand there to cut the ribbon and maybe shade the Admiral’s car so it’s cooler in the summer. I'm all for reducing energy use. If the military wants to save money, I can think of another way to get it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgWAxPUHDFY And does solar power keep their jets in the air, no of course not.
In a previous Inhabitat article, the Navy built a solar array across it’s parking lot at the cost of 1.9 million dollars (all Stimulus money). Designed that it will only save 30,000 dollars a year for them. Which means it will pay for it self after 63.3333 years (assuming they don’t spend those savings). If for instance they put the saved money in the bank to collect with interest. So say the payback could be under 40 years or so. But as for the panels, they’ll be obsolete in about 10 years. And removed after 15-20, Now you have to contract, pay and install new more modern ones and pay for the safe disposal of the old panels, as these high efficiency solar cells are made of gallium arsenide (arsenic compounds for all those who failed chemistry class) and germanium, not silicon. Don’t forget the cost of maintenance, cleaning and service. Where’s the cost saving. All it will do is generate only a fraction of the power needed to run the base. It’ll look good when politicians stand there to cut the ribbon and maybe shade the Admiral’s car so it’s cooler in the summer. I’m all for reducing energy use. If the military wants to save money, I can think of another way to get it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgWAxPUHDFY

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