Breakthrough Makes Solar Electricity Cheaper Than Coal

Just thought some of you may be interested in this....

http://www.naturalnews.com/023389.html

Nanosolar Price Barrier Breakthrough Makes Solar Electricity Cheaper Than Coal

A new combination of nano and solar technology has made it possible for solar electric generation to be cheaper than burning coal. Nanosolar, Inc. has developed a way to produce a type of ink that absorbs solar radiation and converts into electric current. Photovoltaic (PV) sheets are produced by a machine similar to a printing press, which rolls out the PV ink onto sheets approximately the width of aluminum foil. These PV sheets can be produced at a rate of hundreds of feet per minute.

"It's 100 times thinner than existing solar panels, and we can deposit the semiconductors 100 times faster," said Nanosolar's cofounder and chief executive officer, R. Martin Roscheisen. "It's a combination that drives down costs dramatically."

Sounds real good. Once it's readily available we can all put it on our roofs and disconnect from the grid. However, I'll keep the coal for heat.

Exxon-Mobil will probably buy the patent & then bury it like they do with any other alternative power source.

I agree with the comment that coal would still be needed as a soure of heat, but if this proves commercially successful, then coal should be in less demand (since no longer being used for electric generation purposes) and, therefore, coal prices should be even cheaper for us!!.

Manny

Richard, [Devil5052],, did you take a double dose of 'conspiracy theory pills' this morning?? Do you really think that Exon mobil would not want to profit from something that is in infinite supply [sunlight] and hold the patent on a way to easily and cheaply [ and mark it up that much more] ???

Come on now... the whole world is not a big conspiracy...

Greg L

.

This is actually old news, I read similar report a few months back. They invision "printing" these sheets and covering everything with them. Building tops, tractor trailers etc. If I remember correctly Google is invested in this company, if not its similar one with similar tech.

I read about this last year sometime. It sounds goodm, but something's fishy. They do not want investors, the next 4 or 5 yrs production "is sold" and all of it will be used by industry that is behind fenced area. The article I read made it clear that "unfortunatly, the public will not be able to see the panels" (not an exact quote).

Another miracle we won't see in our lifetimes.

Solar panel costs are only one part of the total cost of a working solar system. While the solar panel costs continue to decline there are many other costs, like installation and permitting that will continue to rise. The founder of Circuit Cellar magazine, Steve Ciarcia, recently described the system he installed in his home. This is a system designed by an engineer, for an engineer and has all the bells and whistles. Steve's cost after state rebates was approximately $60,000. After you read the articles you will have a greater appreciation for how complex an installation is that can significantly offset purchasing electric power. Go directly to http://circuitcellar.com/ archives for links to the various vendors listed.

Links to the articles are:

Part 1 -
**Broken Link(s) Removed**Part 2 -
**Broken Link(s) Removed**Part 3 -
**Broken Link(s) Removed**
The specs for the system are:

SYSTEM SPECS
System type: Batteryless, grid-tied, net-metering photovoltaic
Total system output: 10,760 W STC
Location: Connecticut
Electric production: 12,750 kWh per year, estimated production
Utility supplied electricity offset: 82%
Back-up electricity: Existing 14-kW diesel generator
Modules: 20 SunPower SPR-210-WHT 210-W STC modules and 32 SunPower SPR-205-BLK 205-W STC modules
Arrays: Two 16-panel pole-mounted arrays producing 3,280 W each and one 20-panel roof-mounted array producing 4,200 W
Inverters: Three total. Two SunPower SPR-3300x inverters and one SPR-5000x inverter. (Manufactured for SunPower by Xantrex Technology, Inc.)
System cost: Including tree removal and electrical items not included in the installation contract, and after deducting the CCEF rebate, the out-of-pocket cost for this PV system was about $60,000.

I think you also need sun for these Solar panels to work. Up here in the lake effect area, I get about 25% of the possible sunshine during the Winter.

LsFarm wrote:Richard, [Devil5052],, did you take a double dose of 'conspiracy theory pills' this morning??

Sorry, Devil, I had the same thought after I read your post.

I'm planning a generator driven by a few of these, right after I build the trebouchet.

LsFarm wrote:Richard, [Devil5052],, did you take a double dose of 'conspiracy theory pills' this morning??

Damn you Greg........How did you know?? (I thought they were my Flintstones vitamins! )

Wood'nCoal wrote:I'm planning a generator driven by a few of these, right after I build the trebouchet.

donkey.jpg

Shrek is going to be looking for him.

Heeaww, heeawways got to be a wiseass! Scott