[badgerlandjim]

Once you are set up for them, couldn’t wind or solar energy be considered “free”? Kinda the same thing.

[babygene]

“Once you are set up for them, couldn’t wind or solar energy be considered “free”? Kinda the same thing.”

Both wind and solar do indeed have nuclear fusion as their source of energy. (the sun)

[PapaBear3625]

Once you are set up for them, couldn’t wind or solar energy be considered “free”? Kinda the same thing.

The total cost of an energy source is roughly composed of the capital costs, the operation/maintenance costs, and the fuel costs. Even with fuel cost being zero, you have capital costs (which are very high for solar/wind) and maintenance/operation costs (solar panels don't work well unless kept clean, wind generators have moving parts that need to be looked after)

[LonePalm]

There is an initial investment in the generating unit. I would like to know what the payback period is, given a particular required return on investment. What is the investment cost per unit of energy provided? (How much capital do I have to tie up to reduce some other expense?) What are the disposal costs? What are the other life-cycle costs involved?

I am pretty sure that there are ongoing maintenance costs. I know that there are with wind units.

Even wind units take energy out of the system, reducing the effectiveness of units behind them. They also take up space that could be used for other purposes and generate low frequency noise that annoy some people.

NOTHING IS FREE!!!! It might have a very low relative cost but it is not FREE.

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)