There's lots going on in the field of Solar Power.
Check out this article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/18/technology/18solar.html?ex=1355634000&en=091b06819623f9d0&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
That's excellent and exciting news!
I hope there are soon going to be breakthroughs on the efficiency front as well. Here in the northeast we absolutely need efficiency. We've had one sunny day in the past two weeks! Most days this time of year it is gray from dawn to dusk. Without efficiency, we're unable to use solar.
-Speak
Quote from: SpeakEasyThat's excellent and exciting news!
I hope there are soon going to be breakthroughs on the efficiency front as well. Here in the northeast we absolutely need efficiency. We've had one sunny day in the past two weeks! Most days this time of year it is gray from dawn to dusk. Without efficiency, we're unable to use solar.
-Speak
From other stuff that I have read, we may be able to buy this film by the roll, up to 8' wide. It may be able to cover your entire roof (house or RV) at a reasonable cost. This would not only supply power but add UV and moisture protection to your roofing material.
This is exactly what I have been waiting for and the timing seems to be about right. Seems this stuff will be on the market in about 5 years. We want to add solar power to our home in 6 years, when we retire. We want to be totally self-sufficient when we retire.
This makes it sound like there's progress on the efficiency front as well:
http://www.solardaily.com/reports/Solar_Cells_Of_The_Future_999.html
-Speak
cool - any retail market yet?
Quote from: haroldPEcool - any retail market yet?
Seems like it's about 5 years away from retail.
At least, the first two years production (at the estimated production rate and we all know how accurate those are...LOL) are committed to a European project and IIRC another year's to a similar project elsewhere. Since it's under patent you won't see other manufacturers upping the output. From what's been posted they are keeping it in house and not licensing the technology.
I also wonder on the lifespan of the technology. Will the panels stand up to weathering, etc?