First Solar reported in February that the clean energy company reached the holy grail of renewables: $1/Watt, or equivalency/parity with coal. That is, First Solar now is able to produce solar energy that is cost competitive with coal, and given the complications of burning coal (pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, environmental degradation) solar will increasingly be preferable to coal in the production of electricity. This trend stands only to accelerate, as the cost of coal-electricity is bound to rise with increased expense due to transportation and carbon charges. Solar, on the other hand, is just now being scaled to mass production, with decreasing costs likely to follow. And as production capacity of solar grows (First Solar is not the only solar company reaching this point), coal companies likely are going to be unable to compete.
Also, as First Solar has increased production capacity, solar projects are reaching gigawatt volume, which is comparable to the energy capacity of an average-sized nuclear plant. Solar energy is significantly preferable to nuclear energy, as well, avoiding the waste storage and transport issues, not to mention security issues.
For more information on First Solar's remarkable achievement, see their press release:
http://investor.firstsolar.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=201491&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1259614&highlight=
rate
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 6
Related to this is my article on the Topaz solar farm, in particular my most recent comment underneath.
Cheers! Sam Carana
Very interesting and good news...
Given these advances in solar, could I pose question to you about solar regarding a potential real world situation:
Do you know of current or up coming solar energy supply technology that could be used for a small remote community on several small equatorial islands? The problem is setting up a community (almost from scratch) with technology that has minimal impact on the local ecology, reliable energy supply, and reasonable cost (comparable to setting up other small 'fossil fuel' type power plants from scratch). The community is about 40 residences and supporting facilities.
The preference would be to avoid fuel oil or diesel power generators.
They are equatorial islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Receiving much year round sun light. Might experience cloudy days, quickly moving puff balls, but not many overly overcast days.
Also experience consistent seasonal trade winds so wind power supplement would also be valuable component.
What do you think?
Also... No... nothing yet... We are still waiting.... getting close... but she is DEFINITELY ready! all is well though...
Thanks for your post.
Best,
DJE
Here are a couple of sites that might interest you:
Solar ovens are being used to replace wood for cooking fuel in developing nations.
Hybrid systems use a combination of energy sources, including solar and fuel from biomass, e.g., fromt the Jatropha plant.
The solar electric light fund may be a further resource for you, since they seem to be in the business of supporting solar projects in developing countries.
The U.N. Environment Program may also be a resourcd for financial and system information.
I'll continue to look for resources.
I'll visit back later.
Sounds like a very good way to help save energy.