There has not been a photovoltaic ("solar") cell yet produced that will return more energy in its lifetime than it cost to produce the cell. Think of them as long lasting non-rechargeable batteries - best utilized off grid, e.g., space ships (near earth), remote cabins, etc. When using photovoltaic cells, one is really just moving the cell production energy from the manufaturing plant to somewhere else in a small semiconductor package.

Who among us would give up a significant portion of his/her daily energy use? Why, think of the watts you're using just reading this! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Unless we figure out a way to reduce the human population, it's up to technology and energy to keep the species going. The old "primative" ways aren't up to the task, and in many ways they were at least as destructive, probably more so per capita, than today's more "advanced" techniques.

Therefore, I conlcude, we need to deliver more, reliable, energy at less environmental cost.

/Neal