Solar panels (or modules) are made of highly purified silicon, a process requiring a lot of energy (1,500 Centigrade). Solar-graded silicon price surged from $25 to $400 per kilogram in the last 4 years. The silicon which must be turn into a crystal (ingot) another costly process requiring a lot of energy. Ingots are cut in extremely thin layers (wafer), a long process resulting in an heavy loss of the raw material. The wafers are treated to create n-p poles (negative and positive poles like a battery). The wafer is then wired with aluminium treads to become a solar cell. The cells are then connected together and sealed, and cover by high impact antireflective glass, and aluminium framed (aluminium is not cheap too) to form a solar module. A typical module converts only 15% of approximately 1000watt per sq. meter of the sun energy striking the surface of the Earth. Many modules must be linked together(an array) to provide enough electricity to meet the needs of an average family (heating not included). Solar modules produce DC current which must be converted to AC current (an inverter is necessary ($500 to $1,000). If the installation is not connected to the grid, a deep cycle battery pack and a charge controler will make sure that the batteries will not be damaged by overcharging (The modules never know when the batteries are fully charged!). The system must be customarized to fit the particular needs and location particulars by an accredited installer (balancing of the system). The bottom line of all this is that the cost of the electricity of a typical photovoltaic system (solar-to-electricity) cost around 0.25$ per kilowatt-hour. Claude Legare, Legare Clean Energy, Canada claudelegare@hotmail.com

You don't necessarily have to purchase new expensive solar panels. They can be made it home and the parts can be obtained much cheaper than buying straight from a solar panel manufacturer. For more info on building your own, try homesolarenergy.weebly.com

They are not made it either the quality or quanity to drive down the costs. As the the demand increases and the process is perfercted they will be become more affordable. This will not happen as long the cost make fossils fuel the number one choice.

They dont cost a lot. Once you setup then there are minimal cost is there. See this site which will clear your doubts http://www.earthforenergykits.com/

I don't think so because my solar panel manufacturer give me a very cost effective product. You can also analyze yourself by visiting following link: http://www.ibuysolarpanels.com

You have to burn an awful lot of coal to provide the energy necessary to make them.

the solar panels cost much is because the material pure silicon cost a logt, it's purity is about: 99.9999% and more. Also, seting a solar system , need to have a lot of other parts such as controller, battery , inverter, mounting bracket, etc.

I built my own Solar Panels for under $100 as well as a Solar Water Heater for just $10! I currently use them to power my 1700 Square Foot home! Get the plans at: http://ambigrid-review.blogspot.com