With reference to the article on solar panels at Edward Field School, Kidlington, (Oxford Mail, September 7), I would like to point out that it will hardly raise awareness and obvious benefits of renewable energy.
The essence of the article is incorrect and misleading to both the pupils and your readers.
The facts are: a) Solar panel efficiencies depending on type, have an efficiency of between 7 – 22% b) Solar panel power output and efficiency drops dramatically during dense cloud cover and winter time and, of course, at night it generates no electricity.
c) The installation cost to the school is quoted as £23,000 and an annual energy saving of £350 is suggested.
According to my calculations the payback on the expenditure, based on figures quoted, will be around 65 years.
If the school wishes to raise pupils’ and readers’ awareness of environmentally friendly and cost effective power generation, they should perhaps consider teaching them the many advantages (and disadvantages) of Nuclear Power which has the following benefits
Plant lifetime is 40 years plus.
Produces no carbon, nitrous or sulphur dioxides and no acid rain.
Nuclear waste would amount to no more than the size of a golf ball for a family of four over their lifetime.
Efficiency of nuclear power plants ranges from 33-44% and output is unaffected by weather.
Do us all a favour and do some research before going to print on the purported and hypothetical benefits of wind/solar panels bandied about by PC bearded men in cords and flip flops.
Colin Hewetson The Ridings Kidlington
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