Whilst someone has suggested panels would break even in ten to fifteen years, they are unlikely to be producing enough power by then so you will be needing to replace them. Also by then you will have had to replace the storage devices. Probably several times.

Solar panels are yet in their infancy and they will no doubt get it right in a few years down the line.

Solar power is a dream of the western invironmental lobby and their spin meisters. If it were one tenth what they say it is all the tropical countries would have it. They dont. They have seen the research, many in fact are doing it themselves and they know it is currently a waste of money. Windpower now – many of them have gone for that.

As someone has already answered solar heating of water is very efficient and cheap.

Currently there is no alternative source of energy capable of putting a dent in the need for oil, gas or nuclear power. The green lobbys insistence that there is is holding back research and and trying to sell us an empty sack.

You can make the biggest energy saving by regulating your use of power. Just turning televisions and electrical devices off instead of stand by saves a lot. Keeping fridges and freezers fairly full ensures they work more efficiently. Putting clothes on or taking them off instead of using heat or ventilation saves huge amounts.
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A bank of solar panels generates electrical power with no emissions.

A system for heating water to make steam might release the spent steam into the air but water is not usually thought of as a waste product. The steam engines or turbines used to generate electricity need to be lubricated and the oil used to do this wears out and has to be replaced.

Both kinds of systems produce some waste during manufacture and construction.
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