sci.energy.hydrogen

On Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:27:33 -0500, Morris Dovey wrote:

> Mauried wrote:
>>
>> On Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:56:29 -0800, Bill Ward
>> wrote:
>
>> >One clue would be when you see solar cells manufactured using only
>> >solar energy.
>
>> Yes, thats the major question. Why dont you see this. The cost of solar
>> panels is absolutely lowest at the point of manufacture.
>> If its not economically viable to power solar cell plants from the solar
>> cells the plant makes, then when will it be , if ever.
>
> Actually, I was thinking of using heliostats for melting Silicon. If the
> bulk of the energy needed is heat, then it seems wasteful to convert solar
> radiation to electricity - then convert it to heat to do the job we want.
>
>> One also has to look at the energy content that goes into making the
>> aluminium thats used to make the completed solar panel.
>
> I think aluminum refining pretty much requires a high-current electric
> smelter.

Wouldn't "free" solar DC electricity be a perfect match, then? Yet no one
seems to use it for aluminum electrolysis...