The Approach of Solar Parity?

Maybe our crystal ball will be a lot less murky by the end of the year...???

I wonder to what extent this year's cost trends on solar cells are driven by technology, decreased production costs or a desire by current suppliers to improve market share. This is especially an issue with Chinese sources which may be shipping money with each cell but hiding it under the veil of economic controls their government doesn't talk about.

Because semiconductor technology has been such a part of our lives for the last two decades we are inclined to think the Moore's Law effects apply to other hi tech developments. Not so. Each technology has its own limits and paths to them.

The other point is that the cost of solar power is more than just the cells. The biggest gains may come in those low tech and "no tech" areas of solar power. These are the areas most subject to so called "out of the box" thinking. .....Ed Weldon

A couple of years ago GE sold off all its semiconductor-type of solar cell operations. They are now 100% thin film. They spent a huge amount of money to build a 400 megawatt plant. The thin film isn't nearly as efficient as the silicon but it's a far quicker and cheaper manufacturing process.

I love capitalism. I think thin film will never completely match up with silicon for total output but cost always wins the day. The $1/watt barrier has been broken (some never thought it would be). Now we'll see how mass production can drive the cost even lower. I like GE's chances here to live up to the promise.

Where can one purchase solar cells for $1.00 (or less) per watt?

Have some fun today,

PAPADOC

RMFR

silicon wafer technology used for mfg. solar cells is very costly affair. So the panels are costly and hence there is limitations [ finance ] to harvest solar energy.

But recently an Indian student (scientist) has developed new breakthrough technology in solar power [Photovoltaic] generation. Regarding this i have read somewhere. This technology is in research stage now but within a year or two, available for general public.

Since when has innovation been driven by the market?

I don't think the big problems with alternative energy systems have to do with cost. I think they have to do with the paradigm shifts that go with these technologies.

Sustainability is being pushed forward in a social environment where elite groups have almost completed their bid to totally control politics and policy on this planet through the monetary system, which is very tied up with "market" thinking.

There are so many innovative ideas in both a technology and social systems just waiting to burst forth that are being held in check because they don't fit in the mainstream plan for social evolution.

There is a knowledge blockade in place that gives the impression that the people in charge know what they're doing because of data they have that is too sensitive to make public. This could be true, or it could be a criminal ploy, or perhaps a combination of both. But I think that how, when and where alternative energy technologies go into use will depend on how this power and knowledge struggle plays out much more than on market factors or basic economics.

I don't think the big problems with alternative energy systems have to do with cost. I think they have to do with the paradigm shifts that go with these technologies.

Care to share any real information [data] to go along with such extraordinary claims?