This paper presents a method for analyzing renewable energy technologies that uses the energy return on energy investment (EROEI) ratio as the value criterion. This method is less sensitive to future trends than is conventional economic analysis. As an example of this method, the EROEI and the time required to usefully deliver the energy invested in the initial construction of a parabolic trough solar collector system were calculated. This energy return was then compared with the economic return and possible reasons for the difference between them are discussed.

Units: Dual