sci.energy.hydrogen

Antonio Fili wrote:
> "Peter B. P." ha scritto nel messaggio
...
>> I'd love solar panels when their effeciency passes 25%. Today that are at
>> best 16% for consumer-viable panels.
>
> The problem with PV is not necessarily the efficiency but the costs, even a
> lower efficiency PV technology is welcome if it costs less than 1 $ per watt
> of peak, otherwise PV electricity is not competitive with any fossil fuels
> or nuclear scheme, considering its low capacity factor

I agree that it's the cost, not the efficiency, that's the issue with
solar PV. Even 5% thin film panels are efficient enough for most folks.

That said, the United States military has a research project aimed at
producing 50% efficient PV and I've heard they are getting close.
/news/

Lastly, while PV electricity at $3/watt (todays lowest price) may not
compete with fossil fuel (coal) and nuclear power plants, there aren't
many places that let homeowners operate such plants.

Anthony