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So you think the successful Republican efforts to block conservation and alternative energy research post-OPEC oil embargo - to include Reagan ripping Carter's solar panels off the roof of the White House - had nothing to do with Big Carbon's wishes?

Interesting perspective.

I like the part where the article says:

>>>>But I think it makes sense to fudge it a bit

Now that's science.

Please show me a PV cell factory that runs entirely on PV cells.

Oh and the "study" they cite : http://www.solarbus.org/documents/pvpayback.pdf was written by Energy & Environmental Economics, Inc. and Siemens Solar Industries...clearly "empiricism of the disinterested party"...

Because there is no evidence.

Yes, there is. The US propaganda machinery (aka "the press") just won't tell you about it.

The energy used to make a panel is recovered within 1-2 years of operation, beyond which a further 13-18 years of net energy production remain
Also here

Since the price of solar panels makes the economic breakeven point 10-20-50 years, this must be because of the cost of materials, which can be recycled. All of this, of course, assume you live somewhere solar is useful, not, say, England.

I think it comes down to who you believe. The AC who started this line of discussion, or the two studies that have been cited.

I guess I'm inclined to believe the panels pay themselves off eventually (the web sites say 2 years, our contractor says 12). I'm also inclined to believe that before the panels die their net environmental impact would be positive.

But from what others are saying, it looks like solar water, new appliances, and home insulation should take precedence.

I'm not sure if I'm reading it right, but according to this study (linked in someone's comment above in this thread, "Production photovoltaic module payback is significantly less than its expected lifetime."

Not true, solar panels should have a break-even point of about 2 years. Couple this with an expected lifetime of >20 years (If you're in an area where you don't get much severe weather, this could be easily double).

http://www.solarbus.org/documents/pvpayback.pdf

In addition, semiconductor manufacturing processes do not create nearly the amount of pollutants as in years past, and most manufacturers have very aggressive recycling policies (the company I work for recycles 85-90% of all our waste)

That said, a hybrid/electric vehicle, more efficient appliances, even better insulation would probably provide a quicker ROI.

Good Luck!

energy needed to make a solar cell is in the same order as the amount that it absorbs from the sun

That is a common myth that may have been true decades ago. Modern solar panels have a energy payback of around two years of operation and have expected lifetimes of well over twenty years.