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POPSMoore's Law and the Cost of Solar Energy Interesting. I like to see patterns emerging in technology trends. This one makes sense, but the fact is that there are many different types of solar panels, including solar thermal and solar hot water, that are already competitive.
3
POPSCheaper than Coal... Several solar companies have announced that they can produce solar panels that have a cheaper dollars per watt price tag than coal. While these don't seem to have reached the domestic market yet, it's and interesting development.
0
POPSIncentives may end for Solar Energy This may in fact be a good thing. While I think solar energy needs to grow as a energy source, artificially lowering the price has a limited useful life. For instance, the oil crisis of 1973 caused car manufacturers to make much more efficient cars. Similarly, a change in solar prices could induce cheaper, more efficient solar panels. The stakes are already high for to fill the gap created by oil's high cost. It looks like they may get higher.
0
POPSThin Film Photovoltaics Thin film photovoltaics are an interesting develpment. Fuelled by a worldwide shortage of silicon (caused by a huge growth in demand for solar energy) thin film solar has risen in popularity. While less efficient (now) than traditional solar panels, thin film is cheaper to produce.