Forecast: Cost Of PV Panels To Drop To $0.36/Watt By 2017

[midnight]

As long as the solar panel array is generating more current than is being drawn from it, there is no power disruption or power fluctuation (provided that voltage regulation is used).
Each 1,000 watt panel would cost $360 without factoring in installation costs, but they would last about 6 times longer than batteries.
Assuming the batteries required are charged at their recommended rate, they would end up costing $1,980 and they would have to be replaced more frequently than the extra solar panel — plus, there is an installation fee for the batteries as well, except for DIY people.
Suddenly, that $360 sounds good. Even after factoring in the fees required to install that extra panel, it is likely still much cheaper than expensive batteries.

Read more at http://cleantechnica.com/2013/06/19/forecast-cost-of-pv-panels-to-drop-to-0-36watt-by-2017/#Jp7fEbyP423VFXcE.99

[madville]

1. It seems like

It seems like solar panels have been 5 years away from being "cheap" for the last couple of decades.

Whatever happened to the thin solar film that was supposed to revolutionize the industry? Or was that just a green energy scam?