New technology will result in more efficient, less expensive solar energy

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://media.www.californiaaggie.com/media/storage/paper981/news/2008/02/06/ScienceTech/New-Technology.Will.Result.In.More.Efficient.Less.Expensive.Solar.Energy-3190293.shtml

New technology will result in more efficient, less expensive solar energy

By: VIOLET SALAZAR
Posted: 2/6/08

...

The two share ownership of the process of new nanotechnology being applied to solar technology, specifically solar cells. The nanostructures are small rods about 50 to 100 nanometers in diameter that are used to increase the surface area of a solar cell, which are normally flat surfaces.

...

"That's the goal here - to make low cost and to increase the efficiency of capturing sunlight," he said.

The lower cost solar cells may make it easier for an average family to afford, Islam said. Instead of costing $70,000 to equip a house with solar panels, he expects with the UC Davis/Q1 NanoSystems idea, that same house can be outfitted for as little as $5,000.

In addition, Stroeve expects the solar cell to be 35 to 40 percent efficient for converting solar energy.

...

[Nihil]

1. Here's hoping!

> The lower cost solar cells may make it easier for an average family to
> afford, Islam said. Instead of costing $70,000 to equip a house with solar
> panels, he expects with the UC Davis/Q1 NanoSystems idea, that same house
> can be outfitted for as little as $5,000.

Even reducing the optimism a touch (say to $10,000) that would be an amazing
opportunity.

Hope that this bit ...
> looking for funding to develop a prototype.
... does not become its epitaph.

The other benefit (i.e., to the world at large rather than just the lucky
minority who can scrape £5000 out of somewhere) will be that to run the
comparatively tiny electrical demand of remote locations will only
need much less than that. The flip side is that any funding from business
(rather than charitable trusts) will prioritise profit rather than production
so the arrays will be marked up rather than made as widespread as possible.
Brings us back to that old dilemma: greedy human nature vs inventive human
altruism.
:shrug: