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Orange County public schools all have these, but does it make any financial sense given the huge investment and the fact that the panels have less than 30 years of lifespan?


The panels easily pay for themselves over 30 years, so - yes.

Also likely they improve the maintenance of whatever is under them, just from weather protection, even concrete maintenance.


> The panels easily pay for themselves over 30 years, so - yes.

But do they cover their opportunity cost?


The opportunity cost of what?


Of whatever else one could choose to invest in instead of the solar installation.


You can basically rationalise against any investment, because there is no limit to your imagined opportunity. Just keep the cash always so you always have the opportunity!


Does your opportunity cost computation cover the cost of not producing power from renewable sources?


Many panels manufactured today are expected to last more than 30 years. The 30 year lifetime usually means 80% as effective at 30 years.


The "inflation" bill that further supports the fossil fuel industry about to be passed will certainly make it more appealing in the U.S. at the expense on developing countries that get more sun. Solar is great, but subsidizing installs in Prudhoe Bay don't make a lot of sense atm.




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