Solar power is poised to be one of the important power sources of the future. Growth is already substantial, and within the next five years the increase will be nearly five-fold. Solar cells are however still very expensive and not at all very efficient. Both may change within this same time span.
I recently read about a nanotechnology "paint" that was being developed and which could significantly increase the effect of solar cells. Today's solar cells only convert a slim specter of radiation into electricity. This means that much of the sun rays goes unused even when they hit a solar cell. The new paint simply transform some of this radiation into the frequencies that are easily exploited by the solar cells. The technique seems very appealing to me since it can be employed with existing solar cell plants and without expensive production.
I also read that production capacity is now growing faster than the demand for solar cells. This implies that prices for solar cells will drop - as we all know that the market decides the price. Estimates are that in 2009 supply will exceed demand. Together with increased efficiency of solar cells this should mean that solar power is about to get a boost.
I recently read about a nanotechnology "paint" that was being developed and which could significantly increase the effect of solar cells. Today's solar cells only convert a slim specter of radiation into electricity. This means that much of the sun rays goes unused even when they hit a solar cell. The new paint simply transform some of this radiation into the frequencies that are easily exploited by the solar cells. The technique seems very appealing to me since it can be employed with existing solar cell plants and without expensive production.
I also read that production capacity is now growing faster than the demand for solar cells. This implies that prices for solar cells will drop - as we all know that the market decides the price. Estimates are that in 2009 supply will exceed demand. Together with increased efficiency of solar cells this should mean that solar power is about to get a boost.
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