How long do you think it will take solar panels to come down in price significantly?

Question

(see the link)

http://www.nanosolar.com/7areasofinnovation.htm

I searched this website for a way to buy these extremely inexpensive solar panels, but they're not selling them to individuals, they're selling them in huge quantities to mega-users.

So how long do you think it will take for solar panels for guys like us to come down within reach?

Answer 1

They won't, because they take large amounts of energy and resources to make them, so they're going to be expensive just like everything else. The idea we're all going to have solar panels on our homes and wind turbines in the fields and huge batteries in our cars is a red herring. It's like people in the middle ages saying there's no more wood left, so we'll burn charcoal instead.

Answer 2

Not long.  The technology is steadily approaching the level where it's cost competitive with coal.  There are several advancements like thin film technology which are rapidly bringing the price down.  I'd say around 5 years.

Answer 3

Probably not until they invent a cheap cell.  The fact of the matter is that it is a difficult process to refine the metals and pure silicon, or in your site's case, copper-indium-gallium-diselenide.

I haven't checked prices lately, but indium and gallium aren't common metals in any way, and copper prices are soaring.  I think selenium is significantly cheaper, but still not easy.

This new electric film idea is neat though, and I hope things work out with that.

Answer 4

When a better foundry to make silicon is made the cost will come way down. The foundries now in use are poorly designed and as long as they are in use the cost of solar panels will way too high.

Answer 5

I agree with the first answer. 5 years. I friend of mine just got a new job tooling up a new thin film solar cell factory for Applied Materials; which is a big semiconductor company. He says the industry is aiming to cut the cost to one third of what it is today within a few years. He also said at that cost solar would be economically competitive with oil. The foundations of the building were just being poured when I talked to him about it last year, so it will be a couple more years until the factory is up, but there are other factories. This is not some small, tree hugger business. Big companies are investing big bucks to make lots of solar cells.

Answer 6

However long it takes for the market (a.k.a. people) to realize that it is a good idea.

Answer 7

I have had some experience that might help. When U mount them it needs to be strong enough to stand high wind. U also need to have provisions so U could clean them. Good luck