mcbrett
2500+ posts
11/07/11 03:53 PM
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Ok- I'm the first to make fun of solar- I always tell people I want it to work but that it's just not there yet economically speaking. In theory- it is an awesome idea. It's distributed power (local generation near local consumption), does not suffer from transmission losses like all other generators, and works best when we need it the most (peak hours in the afternoon.)
Disclaimer- I work in a firm that invests in various power projects- primarily gas powered power generation. I have helped along with colleagues to look at a few solar projects and we've rejected them all on the basis of economics.
BUT- the technologies are improving. Big time. Costs are coming down. A part of this is Chinese firms dumping products on the market at or below costs. Ask Solyndra how that affected them (Solyndra actually made one of the best PV panels in the world- but in large part lost sales to Chinese firms.)
The most significant reason why the costs are dropping?? The technology is better. And the technology is better thanks to the early adapters and incentive programs that helped get this off the ground. I can say with 100% certainty that within 5 years, the roof on my house will have PV panels- and the costs will be about the same as coal or gas based electricity.
See the attached article: Solar Power Prices Dropping
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Dionysus
5000+ posts
11/09/11 05:36 AM
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I’m really hopeful that solar can take off in a big way, and soon. Isn’t it amazing that we have this colossal ball of fire in the sky pouring out unfathomable amounts of energy every second. If we can just effectively tap it, it’s ours to use.
Personally, I’m extremely bullish on human ingenuity and innovation to get us there.
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mcbrett
2500+ posts
11/09/11 08:26 AM
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Me too- I believe in technology- and funding it- to solve our problems.
Here are the results of the help and attention solar has received:
Forecasted to be cheaper than coal within 10 years (and faster if you were to apply external costs of coal)
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Perham1
5000+ posts
11/09/11 08:58 AM
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Cool, now if they can figure out a way to use solar power to desalinate ocean water we're in good shape....
I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best. Oscar Wilde
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chango
1000+ posts
11/09/11 11:05 AM
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you libs will believe anything. don't you know Jesus put oil in the ground for a reason? 
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El Sapo
2500+ posts
11/09/11 11:07 AM
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In reply to:
Cool, now if they can figure out a way to use solar power to desalinate ocean water we're in good shape....
+1
Remember your Creator
in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come
and the years approach when you will say,
“I find no pleasure in them”
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Dionysus
5000+ posts
11/09/11 11:25 AM
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Is it true that the biggest bottleneck currently is storage/battery technology, more so than energy capture or conversion methods? I don’t know, just wondering where the biggest breakthroughs will need to come from.
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Perham1
5000+ posts
11/09/11 01:01 PM
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I don't know about current bottlenecks but do know we have a ways to go with battery technology.
I always thought it would be super cool if we could store the power from lightning bolts.
I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best. Oscar Wilde
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Dionysus
5000+ posts
11/09/11 02:32 PM
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In reply to:
I always thought it would be super cool if we could store the power from lightning bolts.
I can do this but I’m not supposed to talk about it.
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7Titles
1000+ posts
11/10/11 12:59 PM
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I dont know what the status of the tax breaks are but they may still be there. We got some major tax breaks for putting in geothermal heat and air. Virtually covered the entire added cost of the geothermal vs standard heat and air. I highly recommend.
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PeeJay
250+ posts
11/10/11 05:38 PM
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Has anyone read or heard anything about the status of Hypersolar's patent for quadrupling the efficiency of solar panels? The patent application was submitted about 14 months ago but there has been no action yet.
This leads me to believe they didn't pay the extra $300 to have it put on the fast track which takes about a year. Barring that it usually takes about three years. Of course, the application could be rejected and it wouldn't matter anyway. Going to be interesting. I have been keeping a curious eye on the stock and have seen it go from $.22 per share to $.04 per share.
Would love to hear from any of you techno types if you have any knowledge of this.
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Crockett
1000+ posts
11/11/11 03:22 PM
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I think there are way to harness solar power without necessarily using expensive advanced technology. Not all innovation is complex. It seems bizarre to me that I'm using gas to heat water in a closet while 10 feet above in my attic, the temperature is as hot as I want my water to be. Also it seems to me there ought to be a way to transfer waste heat into mechanical energy to power or assist with powering a compressor without first turniing it into electricity.
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mcbrett
2500+ posts
11/11/11 03:25 PM
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PeeJay-
I got as excited about a company called EEStor- based in Austin by coincidence. They had patents for batteries that held 10x the charge at 1/3 the price- would have revolutionized electric cars and electronics overnight.
The lesson is- just because someone applies for a patent- it means nothing. Until it is used in the real world be real clients- it is only a pipe dream. That being said- if the first clients love it- buy the stock. Reserving judgment has always paid off in the long run..
Solar is working as a sector because there are over 100 companies competing. Maybe half fail- who knows, but the consumer wins. I'd wager on the solar sector anyday- but never an individual company.
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Monahorns
500+ posts
11/13/11 01:05 PM
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The company I work for just introduced to the market a solar product which is half the cost of normal photovoltaics and is transparent. It only produces 1/5 of the electricity but even more money is saved because it isn't manufactured in panels. It is basically tape. It is being marketed for application to windows. I think something like this will probably be the best solution because the cost of glass and metal work and the assembly of panels is a large portion of the cost.
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PeeJay
250+ posts
11/16/11 12:57 PM
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Just saw that Hypersolar has applied for a patent for converting solar into methane gas. The stock has risen from $.04 per share to $.07 per share. The volume has increased from an average of 30,000 per day to 650,000 shares today. Will be interesting to follow.
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Uninformed
10,000+ posts
11/17/11 05:51 AM
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In reply to:
The company I work for just introduced to the market a solar product which is half the cost of normal photovoltaics and is transparent. It only produces 1/5 of the electricity but even more money is saved because it isn't manufactured in panels. It is basically tape. It is being marketed for application to windows. I think something like this will probably be the best solution because the cost of glass and metal work and the assembly of panels is a large portion of the cost.
Yeah, that is a pretty good idea. Although, I think sales would skyrocket if it could be integrated into paints. I remember years ago GE was talking about "light" tape. I haven't seen it for sale but I am not sure whether it was cost, quality, or demand that kept it off the market.
I have seen some solar roof tiles that I would purchase at the right price point and aesthetics. I would hope that tiles would have equivalent performance to panels.
I don't think I would have battery storage and instead would send the excess power generation back to the grid.
Hookem
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Y Sanchez
1000+ posts
11/17/11 11:53 AM
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Let me know when solar gets below 3$ per KW hour compared to $1 for juice provided by coal / natural gas / nuclear.
Until then just because it makes everyone feel better for using it, does not make it economically viable.
"Personally, I believe a rocking hammock, a good cigar, and a tall gin-and-tonic is the way to save the planet." P.J. O'Rourke
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mcbrett
2500+ posts
11/17/11 03:30 PM
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Ok Y Sanchez- we let you know. It's done.
Read an article- There are links above if you want to learn.
Secondly- let me know when we're going to start accounting for the external costs of coal and oil when we look at their price. Because, those are still actual costs.
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accuratehorn
10,000+ posts
11/18/11 08:06 AM
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This is really encouraging news. I hope to add solar to our house one day. We looked into it a few years ago, but it was just too much to swing it. We spray foamed, got good windows and an excellent two-stage compressor, so we don't use a large amount of energy, but I would still love to get a solar set-up.
We all should know that the cost of the conventional energy we use is not reflected in the amount we pay to the power companies each month. It is much higher if all the real bottom line costs are included, which are paid through our taxes.
Knowledge is good
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PeeJay
250+ posts
11/21/11 02:10 PM
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Just saw Hypersolar has gone from $.07 per share Friday to $.10 per share today and volume has exceeded 4MM already today. Means it has gone from $.04 last Monday to $.10 per share.
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