PV Gap

Raymond Said:

Solar Energy??

We Answered:

Pure Silicon reacts to sunlight by freeing electrons, moving electrons = electricity. That's all there is to it, other than hooking up a wire so that those free electrons have someplace to move.

Unsubsidized Solar doesn't compete with Coal yet, for cost. It does, however come pretty close. I put in solar panels in 1984 and they're still running. The batteries are the worst part, but still it's paid for itself easily and it makes us feel like we're doing something.

The very best solar cell is 41%, Boeing makes that panel. It's a concentrator cell, which means the sunlight is focused on the silicon. Most commercial solar panels struggle to get 15%.

The disadvantage to solar is that it powers in sunlight only. The rest we could work with, the cost is better if you look long term enough, and there's no pollution. In the short term another disadvantage is that there's a shortage of purified silicon. There's plenty out there, but it has to be processed, and that takes time. Because of that solar panels are on back order in most places.

The advantages are that they don't damage our world after manufacture, they work off grid if needed so remote places or in disaster electricity is available, they're silent and they pay for themselves in time and then keep right on paying.