How Cheap Can Solar Get?
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How Cheap Can Solar Get?
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Re: How Cheap Can Solar Get?
#2Does anyone know methods for hackers to help and learn more about solar ?
It it possible for the mathematically trained to easily immerse and innovate in the industry ?
It it possible to manufacture solar cells "in your garage" so to speak ?
Re: How Cheap Can Solar Get?
#3Does anyone know methods for hackers to help and learn more about solar ? It it possible for the mathematically trained to easily immerse and innovate in the industry ? It it possible to manufacture solar cells "in your garage" so to speak ?
Generally you can't grow silicon crystals in your garage, although you can create the photovoltaic effect with amorphous materials (see CIGS solar cells). A good start is to apprentice with a solar installation company to get a feel for what is the "current" situation.
Re: How Cheap Can Solar Get?
#4Does this make solar a great industry to invest in because of the growth potential, or a terrible industry to invest in because the prices are racing to the bottom?
Re: How Cheap Can Solar Get?
#5Does anyone know methods for hackers to help and learn more about solar ? It it possible for the mathematically trained to easily immerse and innovate in the industry ? It it possible to manufacture solar cells "in your garage" so to speak ?
My MSc is concerned with a model for simulating molecular photovoltaics. The work I do is a blend of physics, chemistry, maths and programming, in different proportions. I wouldn't say it was "easy to immerse", but complement your skills with physics/chemistry and you could be useful, yes.
A Grätzel or dye sensitized solar cell can be easily created in your garage. Look them up on Youtube.
Re: How Cheap Can Solar Get?
#6Does this make solar a great industry to invest in because of the growth potential, or a terrible industry to invest in because the prices are racing to the bottom?
Hi. I'm the author of the original post. The amount of solar installed in the world is going to scale by more than 10x in the coming decades. There will be more than a trillion spent.
If you pick the winners, investment will have huge return.
Most solar companies, however, will be casualties in the fierce competition to come.
The other area to look at is energy storage. More renewables will increase the demand for energy storage. And it's early days in that field. Again: Huge returns for the winners. But most companies will be shaken out of the field.
Re: How Cheap Can Solar Get?
#7Hi. I'm the author of this blog post. Happy to answer questions people have, as time allows, on Wednesday.
Upcoming posts will look at the future of wind power, the future of energy storage, and what the missing pieces are.
If you don't want to wait, you can read my thoughts on energy storage here: http://rameznaam.com/2015/04/14/energy-storage-about-to-get-...
Re: How Cheap Can Solar Get?
#8Hi. I'm the author of this blog post. Happy to answer questions people have, as time allows, on Wednesday. Upcoming posts will look at the future of wind power, the future of energy storage, and what the missing pieces are. If you don't want to wait, you can read my thoughts on energy storage here: http://rameznaam.com/2015/04/14/energy-storage-about-to-get-...
So given the Fed 30% solar subsidy is set to expire at the end of 2016, have you modeled (or know of a model) that shows when the price of solar will crossover the loss of subsidy?
I.e. I'm trying to figure out if going solar now is better (in California) or just waiting a few more years. I'm in no particular hurry since my electric bill vs. sq/ft is already pretty good.
Re: How Cheap Can Solar Get?
#9If I could install solar today I would, regardless of cost (apartment living prevents it). That may sound crazy, but I theorize that when you consider externalities the cost of grid electricity already far exceeds the cost of solar. It's going to cost humanity a whole lot of money to both survive and fix the damage we're dealing to the environment today. I'd rather pay more now for solar, than pay through the nose later for the environmental equivalent of a triple bypass surgery.
I doubt others see it that way, so I guess I'll pay the cleanup cost later like everyone else regardless. Such is the human condition.
Re: How Cheap Can Solar Get?
#10What is the environmental impact of making solar cells?