Nanosolar's Breakthrough - Solar Now Cheaper than Coal

News Type: Event — Seeded on Wed Dec 26, 2007 6:55 PM EST

technology, environment, alternative-energy, solar-power, coal, fossil-fuels

They have successfully created a solar coating that is the most cost-efficient solar energy source ever. Their PowerSheet cells contrast the current solar technology systems by reducing the cost of production from $3 a watt to a mere 30 cents per watt. This makes, for the first time in history, solar power cheaper than burning coal.

These coatings are as thin as a layer of paint and can transfer sunlight to power at amazing efficiency. Although the underlying technology has been around for years, Nanosolar has created the actual technology to manufacture and mass produce the solar sheets. The Nanosolar plant in San Jose, once in full production in 2008, will be capable of producing 430 megawatts per year. This is more than the combined total of every other solar manufacturer in the U.S.

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8.1

2.5

{"commentId":1303747,"authorDomain":"schwab"}

Schwab

great news. how soon can I put some on my roof?

{"commentId":1303747,"threadId":"194461","contentId":"1187484","authorDomain":"schwab"}

5 votes

#1 - Wed Dec 26, 2007 8:32 PM EST

{"commentId":1303749,"authorDomain":"JoulesBeef"}

JoulesBeef

very cool.. a bit misleading though. The main problem with solar is the sun dont shine at night. Batteries. expensive, bulky, dont last very long in the scheme of things and not the most environmentally friendly objects in the universe. Not to belittle the great advances in the solar cell technology just pointing out there are stilll hurdles we should address in the industry.
i'd still argue for solar for the indivual and many alternative solutions to ease our fossil fuel burning

{"commentId":1303749,"threadId":"194461","contentId":"1187484","authorDomain":"JoulesBeef"}

2 votes

#2 - Wed Dec 26, 2007 8:32 PM EST

{"commentId":1303855,"authorDomain":"Blitzen"}

Blitzen

I agree with you Joules I hope this is a start in the right direction at least for during the day time and low power usage periods... we could take a home off the grid during the day or during low use periods and use solar, it's bit of waste to have a local power plant keep our microwave clocks going when a solar panel could do the trick... then we could switch back to the grid at night and for high demand periods

{"commentId":1303855,"threadId":"194461","contentId":"1187484","authorDomain":"Blitzen"}

3 votes

#2.1 - Wed Dec 26, 2007 9:35 PM EST

{"commentId":1304379,"authorDomain":"schwab"}

Schwab

you make it sound like you have to manually switch it back; it can be automatic.

my highschool architecture teacher had installed a few solar panels and a wind turbine on his roof and he created enough electricity that, overall, he actually contributed more electricity than he consumed and Connecticut Light and Power cut him checks. I guess that mostly happened in the summer though.

Anyways, he set this up over 8 years ago, and I wouldn't mind doing the same thing in the future for cheap using nanosolar technology.

{"commentId":1304379,"threadId":"194461","contentId":"1187484","authorDomain":"schwab"}

2 votes

#2.2 - Thu Dec 27, 2007 4:42 AM EST

{"commentId":1304064,"authorDomain":"cognition"}

cognition

There are many ways to store energy for nighttime use -- from pumping water uphill during the day to creating clean hydogen power from excess daytime solar power to many other methods. Don't let the existing energy industrial complex disuade you from your enthusiasm for solar and wind!

{"commentId":1304064,"threadId":"194461","contentId":"1187484","authorDomain":"cognition"}

1 vote

#3 - Wed Dec 26, 2007 11:15 PM EST

{"commentId":1304110,"authorDomain":"JoulesBeef"}

JoulesBeef

not trying to dissuade anyone.. just educate. I have a few friends "off the grid" I think this is an awesome break through, think most homes should go solar. this wont be a pancea yet though.
Sure there are other ways, including differnt types of batteries besides for the standard nickel and lead filled car batteries. Just the fact is as it stands right now. were you to go to your local solar supplier and said green up my house, he is going to install about 25 of those car batteries in your closet. And even then I dont want to disuade you especially if you get your elect from coal.
(you may want to think twice if you already get your elect from hydroelectric)
I just want people to look at all options.
Like recycling feels good but in reality it is aluminum and to a lesser extent glass that is worth recycdling. Most other stuff causes more of a problm just with the recycling trucks driving around. Just want peopel to think about being green and not just feeling green. To ask your local solar guy, hey "you heard of fuel cells" or /we
it's all cool havign many ways to store energy, it's basically a fantacy unless you can hirer someone to set it up or know the technology well enough to do it your self.

{"commentId":1304110,"threadId":"194461","contentId":"1187484","authorDomain":"JoulesBeef"}

#3.1 - Wed Dec 26, 2007 11:43 PM EST

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Nanosolar's Breakthrough - Solar Now Cheaper than Coal

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