The Dawn of Cost Competitive Solar?

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In recent years, the U.S. has fallen precipitously behind Germany and Japan in the global solar market. However, in a month that has given us absolutely nothing to feel proud about as Americans on the climate/energy front (e.g. shameful Bali Climate Summit obstructionism and a highly compromised, unvisionary energy bill that was virtually bought with the influence of big utilities and fossil fuel corporations), a private sector milestone delivers a little something to lift our spirits. Actually, it may be a big something.

This week, Nanosolar - a San Jose based company backed by $150 million from the founders of Google and other venture capitalists - announced that it will begin selling its breakthrough thin film solar panels at a cost that is about 1/4 of that of conventional solar panels, making it economically competitive with the country’s leading and dirtiest electricity fuel source, coal. Another company, First Solar (who we blogged about last week) is right with them.

While it’s premature to coronate Nanosolar’s novel innovation as the long awaited breakthrough that will lead to the rapid commercialization of solar electric technology (aka photovoltaics, or ‘PV’ as they are commonly known), it is difficult to overestimate the potential significance of this achievement. While the cost of PV has declined significantly over the past three decades, economics has remained the greatest limiting factor influencing its development. December 2007, just may mark an historic turning point in the way we generate and consume power.

Read the full NYT story here.


Posted on Tuesday, December 18th, 2007 at 4:47 pm | Tagged in Energy, Photovoltaics, Renewables | posted by Neidl

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