We see a lot of comments around here about how solar power is too inefficient and expensive, and nuclear power is the only solution to our energy issues.
However, there’s already one Silicon Valley start-up producing thin-film solar panels at a cheaper cost per watt than coal power is produced nationally.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/18/technology/18solar.html?_r=1&ref=technology&oref=slogin
And a new report from the Prometheus Institute concludes that prices for traditional silicon-based panels should fall from .66 per watt (2007 figures) to .14 per watt in 2010, and more impressively, thin-film PV should go to .81 per watt from .96. When coal, currently the least expensive source of power, is around .10 per watt to generate, the expected drop in price for solar will make it far more competetive.
http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/1704/83/
Do you think solar power is being given a bad rap, and if so, do you think it’s a fair reputation?
