Cheaper solar power heads mainstream - Reuters

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Cheaper solar power heads mainstream
Tue May 22, 2007 6:04PM EDT

By Timothy Gardner

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Solar power should become a mainstream energy
choice in three or four years as companies raise output of a key
ingredient used in solar panels and as China emerges as a producer of
them, according to a report by an environmental research group.

"We are now seeing two major trends that will accelerate the growth
of photovoltaics: the development of advanced technologies, and the
emergence of China as a low-cost producer," Janet Sawin, a senior
researcher at the Worldwatch Institute and an author of report, said
in a statement.

Investors have flocked to solar and other renewable energy sources
amid worries about the high costs of oil and natural gas and greenhouse
gas emissions. Solar is the fastest growing energy source, but still
provides less than 1 percent of the world's electricity, in part because
its power can cost homeowners twice as much as power from the grid.

But costs could fall 40 percent in the next few years as polysilicon
becomes more available, Sawin said,

-snip-

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSN2241870420070522

[librechik]

1. I'll have to pin this article up on my bulletin board

next to the 15 others I have from the last 15 years with the same breaking news headline.

My view? It ain't gonna happen in my lifetime. BP can't profit off it.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. Orbitting shades that can block the sun to be deployed shortly, if

you need it, you will be able to purchase it for a fee.

[msongs]

3. another Chinese stranglehold on the USA - bad news nt