One thing that I’d like some help understanding is the life expectancy of the Solyndra “ladders for lizards” and their cost effectiveness. Say I’m the COO of a small manufacturing firm. Let’s put it somewhere outside of Phoenix to make this a fair argument. Say I choose to install the Solyndra panels. At what point, if ever, do I recoup my investment? Or will the reward my shareholders get be the warm feeling that they have contributed to future technological advancements that may one day make solar sort of competitive (and in the mean time helped fund the salaries of the people who choose to work in a negative profit industry)?
Without the government subsidies you never will.
With the subsidies I believe you break even in about fifteen years.
What is not taken in to account in these figures is that the panels must be maintained by the owner. Weekly cleaning to keep the panels working at top efficiency could impact your bottom line.
It must be kept in mind that the panels do have a limited life span and loose efficiency over time.