I keep hearing about these great advances in photovoltaics, (such as; plastic, thin film/nanotube technologies), but everywhere I look, even manufacturer’s websites, there seems to be no way to get your hands on any products. Does anyone know how I can get my hands on some of this “great stuff”? Or when anything will be available to the consumer? I’m trying to determine whether to pull the trigger on a silicon based array (tied into the grid) for my home, but don’t want to drop this much coin if these supposedly great new technologies are looming on the horizon and especially not if they are already here.
plausipo: Thanks. I have a subscription to Home Power and have been getting estimates from various companies. If it were only $ 20K I would have it installed by now. I’m getting a range from $ 80K to $ 150K for a complete grid-tie system, no batteries. Since 2002 I’ve noticed a bunch of talk about cheep $ 2/w PV panels on the near horizon. This company http://www.orionsolar.net/ is supposedly producing high efficiency/low cost PV film only to large contractors and the federal government. I want to know when this type stuff will be available… if anybody knows?
More Pages:
- Solar Panel: How Does Solar Panels Works And What Is The Cost Of Getting A Solar Panel Installed.? (5/4/2011)
- Solar Turbines: Would Adding Wind Turbines And Solar Panels To Utility Poles Be Feasible To Replace Current Electricity? (4/24/2011)
- Solar Turbines: What Are The Drawbacks To Using Wind Turbines Or Solar Panels For Providing All Power To A Home? (4/24/2011)
- Solar Power: Where Can I Find Solar Power Information? (4/29/2011)
- Solar Energy: How Much Does Home Solar Energy Cost In California? (5/5/2011)
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I wait a bit better solar pannels soon with other system sizes, system types . One company in california does installing only. http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?ch=specialsections&sc=solar&id=19095
Added** The lowest manufacturing cost today is from firstsolar @~$ 2/W (www.firstsolar.com , instead of using silicon, the active pv material is Cadmium Telluride thin film), however, does not necessary translate to be the lowest cost to consumer. The average module per Watt cost to consumer is about $ 5-6 /W. Adding the mounting, wiring and installation comes to about $ 10/W. Average household system size is around 3kW. If there is an installer close to your place, then it would be about $ 30K minus state incentives. Don’t wait for dye sensitized solar cells. First, its more an R&D effort (might take another 20 years to mature). Secondly, the material system relies on organic or liquid ionic transfer, which is inherently not stable under the sun (bummer when we’re talking about “solar” cell)…
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If you can afford it, buy it now. New technology in solar is unlike in electronics, it does not come out every year and a lot of the new technologies, are “forward looking statements”. What is more, State incentive might be lowered later. In return, the cost to you could be about the same.
In the States, a system would cost ~$ 10/W, with incentive, it could be half, i.e., if you’re installing a 2kW system, it would be about $ 10K, less than buying a car.
1) Where to get it:
http://www.findsolar.com/
2) Who to choose:
http://www.homepower.com/article/?file=HP114_pg48_Stone
3) States’ incentives:
http://www.dsireusa.org/
Hope it helps.