Monday, March 21, 2005

Breakthrough in Solar Power Nanotech?

This article discusses a possible breakthrough in solar power using nanotechnology. A company claims they will be able to deliver electricity using solar cells at 5 cents per kilowatt/hour. This is half the current average price for electricity of 10 cents per kilowatt/hour- obviously making solar power competitive with fossil fuels. What has held solar power back up to now is the high cost- about 20 cents per kilowatt/hour for conventional solar cell technology. It is not clear if the claims are legitimate, but if they are we could be looking at the dawn of a new day. With the price of oil rising, even conventional solar cells may quickly become competitive with fossil fuels, especially with some minor improvements and the benefits of mass production.

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