Comments on: Solar Power Goes to Extremes for 5 Cents per kWh http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/ Clean Tech News & Views: Solar Energy News. Wind Energy News. EV News. & More. Tue, 30 Dec 2014 09:26:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.1 By: R. Brian English http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-129752 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 19:53:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-129752 Add a Peltier device to the bottom unit and get more energy from the temperature differential, increase your output another 10-20%. then send me one or two :)

]]> By: Solar Book http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-69 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:15:42 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-69 This is exciting technology, but I suspect that these solar concentrators will be targetted at specific niche products rather than being available for general use for some time to come.

The reason is down to the installation. Get it wrong with a normal solar panel and at worst you’ll get decreased performance and less electricity than you may expect. Get it wrong with solar concentrators and you risk burning down your building…

For that reason, expect to see solar concentrators being used in specialist applications. Powering vending machines, or providing lighting to a bus stop canopy for example.

That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t get excited about solar concentrators – we should. We just shouldn’t expect them to be the answer for every solar problem we have at the moment.

Meanwhile, if you really want to get excited about low cost solar – here is some exciting news: the trade price for amorphous solar panels in the Far East is now down to just over the $1 a watt mark. Competitively priced solar panels that can be used on normal household projects by enthusiasts is definately coming…

]]> By: Solar Book http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-17387 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:15:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-17387 This is exciting technology, but I suspect that these solar concentrators will be targetted at specific niche products rather than being available for general use for some time to come.

The reason is down to the installation. Get it wrong with a normal solar panel and at worst you’ll get decreased performance and less electricity than you may expect. Get it wrong with solar concentrators and you risk burning down your building…

For that reason, expect to see solar concentrators being used in specialist applications. Powering vending machines, or providing lighting to a bus stop canopy for example.

That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t get excited about solar concentrators – we should. We just shouldn’t expect them to be the answer for every solar problem we have at the moment.

Meanwhile, if you really want to get excited about low cost solar – here is some exciting news: the trade price for amorphous solar panels in the Far East is now down to just over the $1 a watt mark. Competitively priced solar panels that can be used on normal household projects by enthusiasts is definately coming…

]]> By: green http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-68 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:53:04 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-68 what if the solar panels were part steel or steel with spray on type solar panels i believe this tecnology is out there and could possibly be intergrated just a thought

]]> By: green http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-17386 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:53:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-17386 what if the solar panels were part steel or steel with spray on type solar panels i believe this tecnology is out there and could possibly be intergrated just a thought

]]> By: Frank Randall http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-67 Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:57:29 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-67 The Aussies did not beat us to it. Amonix has been doing this for years.

]]> By: Frank Randall http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-17385 Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:57:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-17385 The Aussies did not beat us to it. Amonix has been doing this for years.

]]> By: Micah http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-66 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:13:48 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-66 Maybe I am missing someting here, but is the company claiming a new type of PV transducer?

If you have a module which collects energy from the sun (photons) over a given surface area and concentrates them via a lens onto a small transducer, then surely you would only get an efficiency gain over a conventional nultiple PV cells using the same collection area if either

a) the PV cell operated in a more efficient region of its characteristic transduction curve at the higher energy level

b) you used an alternate (more efficient) PV type which needs the higher energy level to function.

If the PV cells are ‘normal’ ones and a) above is true, then there is clearly a potential per module cost saving by reducing the number of cells used I guess, but I don’t get from this article what the essential advance claimed here is.

]]> By: Micah http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-17384 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:13:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-17384 Maybe I am missing someting here, but is the company claiming a new type of PV transducer?

If you have a module which collects energy from the sun (photons) over a given surface area and concentrates them via a lens onto a small transducer, then surely you would only get an efficiency gain over a conventional nultiple PV cells using the same collection area if either

a) the PV cell operated in a more efficient region of its characteristic transduction curve at the higher energy level

b) you used an alternate (more efficient) PV type which needs the higher energy level to function.

If the PV cells are ‘normal’ ones and a) above is true, then there is clearly a potential per module cost saving by reducing the number of cells used I guess, but I don’t get from this article what the essential advance claimed here is.

]]> By: Karl http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-65 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:13:23 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-65 I’m skeptical about the 37.5% efficiency rating. Crystalline PV modules lose ~.5% efficiency per degree Celsius above their rated output (standard test conditions at 25 degrees C. As the substrate heats up, the losses would be considerable. This is not a new idea as stated in a prior post. Also, modules would degrade far more quickly at these temperatures and replacement would eat into that 5 cents/kwh rating. With federal and state subsidies here in California the best plan of attack is still the standard crystalline module with a payoff of 7-10 years and a 50+ year lifespan.

]]> By: Karl http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-17383 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:13:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-17383 I’m skeptical about the 37.5% efficiency rating. Crystalline PV modules lose ~.5% efficiency per degree Celsius above their rated output (standard test conditions at 25 degrees C. As the substrate heats up, the losses would be considerable. This is not a new idea as stated in a prior post. Also, modules would degrade far more quickly at these temperatures and replacement would eat into that 5 cents/kwh rating. With federal and state subsidies here in California the best plan of attack is still the standard crystalline module with a payoff of 7-10 years and a 50+ year lifespan.

]]> By: Irina http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-64 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:39:48 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-64 I am not worried about the leafs or the fire, I am really worried about the birds… This flash light can bring a lot of damage to a whole life cycle. Think about a whole community with the roof on flash lights, they will have to change the route, and stop eating some animals, and this animals become a plague, or others become an agressive predator

]]> By: Irina http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-17382 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:39:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-17382 I am not worried about the leafs or the fire, I am really worried about the birds… This flash light can bring a lot of damage to a whole life cycle. Think about a whole community with the roof on flash lights, they will have to change the route, and stop eating some animals, and this animals become a plague, or others become an agressive predator

]]> By: Michelle Bennett http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-63 Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:19:02 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-63 @ Dan: you know, in some states farmers do lease their land for solar panels and wind farms. They let someone else pay for the equipment/ installation and get a cut of money from the energy produced. Florida you say? You’ve got some tasty tax benefits for solar down there; maybe it’s worth a look.

@ Fallblackberries: A lot of people share your exact concerns, so one company did some business innovation and got around the issue. Instead of selling solar panels, they lease them. That way consumers pay less and still reap the benefits, and the panels can travel with you to your new home. Check it out, run an internet search for “solar panel lease” or something similar.

Victor: I’d say there’s a lot of potential if you can get them over to Africa. The only problem I see with these products is that they’re still new and in limited supply.

There are a few solar products out there these days designed for homes or communities that are off grid and low on cash. Cleantechnica recently wrote about a solar cube, for example, but there are lots more.

Also, I could definitely see homemade innovations being used to boost production from old solar panels. Mirrors, etc. could point more light onto any given panel without the risk of melting it. Silicon panels in particular are long-lived and keep most of their efficiency even after 30+ years.

]]> By: Michelle Bennett http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-17381 Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:19:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-17381 @ Dan: you know, in some states farmers do lease their land for solar panels and wind farms. They let someone else pay for the equipment/ installation and get a cut of money from the energy produced. Florida you say? You’ve got some tasty tax benefits for solar down there; maybe it’s worth a look.

@ Fallblackberries: A lot of people share your exact concerns, so one company did some business innovation and got around the issue. Instead of selling solar panels, they lease them. That way consumers pay less and still reap the benefits, and the panels can travel with you to your new home. Check it out, run an internet search for “solar panel lease” or something similar.

Victor: I’d say there’s a lot of potential if you can get them over to Africa. The only problem I see with these products is that they’re still new and in limited supply.

There are a few solar products out there these days designed for homes or communities that are off grid and low on cash. Cleantechnica recently wrote about a solar cube, for example, but there are lots more.

Also, I could definitely see homemade innovations being used to boost production from old solar panels. Mirrors, etc. could point more light onto any given panel without the risk of melting it. Silicon panels in particular are long-lived and keep most of their efficiency even after 30+ years.

]]> By: VICTOR http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-62 Sun, 05 Oct 2008 10:06:36 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-62 whats the potential of using BiPVs in Africa.

is there anything we are not being told?

I will be really interested to know.

]]> By: VICTOR http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-17380 Sun, 05 Oct 2008 10:06:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-17380 whats the potential of using BiPVs in Africa.

is there anything we are not being told?

I will be really interested to know.

]]> By: fallblackberries http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-61 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:48:11 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-61 I was very impressed with this product. I have been searching for more cost efficient solar power for my home. Power that would pay for itself in a shorter time frame.

The compact size is ideal.

I think you will find a market among average homeowners, of which there are many in the u.s., if the initial price of getting started is reasonable.

Right now when I think of the cost of solar vs. how long I will be in my home. Its out of balance.

My electric has skyrocketed to $300 plus mo.

Frankly, I would rather be paying off a new system of solar if both the system and related costs were cut in half.

See if you can pull that off. I have lots of friends honey!

]]> By: fallblackberries http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-17379 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:48:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-17379 I was very impressed with this product. I have been searching for more cost efficient solar power for my home. Power that would pay for itself in a shorter time frame.

The compact size is ideal.

I think you will find a market among average homeowners, of which there are many in the u.s., if the initial price of getting started is reasonable.

Right now when I think of the cost of solar vs. how long I will be in my home. Its out of balance.

My electric has skyrocketed to $300 plus mo.

Frankly, I would rather be paying off a new system of solar if both the system and related costs were cut in half.

See if you can pull that off. I have lots of friends honey!

]]> By: Carl Revine http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-60 Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:25:50 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/10/solar-power-goes-to-extremes-for-5cents-per-watt/#comment-60 I think it’s fantastic! These logistical issues about falling leaves and the sort are not show stoppers by any means. If that kind of thing would stop us, concerns about other forms of energy would have left us in the dark. Just take a deep breath, step back, and look at the big picture, the small details are just that, small details. The future is here, embrace it, a new dawn is upon us, think positive and make it real.

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