Cheap, Superefficient Solar

Technology Review (MIT) ^ | November 9, 2006 | By Kevin Bullis

[Ben Mugged]

This sort of news scares the heck out of radical Islam. They know their window of opportunity to defeat the west is dependent on oil profits.

[kinoxi]

Sharp Corporation showed off its new system for focusing sunlight with a fresnel lens

Sounds interesting.

[Argus]

Bump for later gettin-off-the-grid reading.

[ConservativeMind]

It's not that efficient if it needs a much larger sized-are of concentrator to make the small chip work. In theory, almost any solar cell would do better with large concentrator focusing more sunlight on it.

[spinestein]

Wow. It's only been three days since the Democrats gained control of congress and already the news is reporting that environmental problems are being solved, the economy is growing and the war on terror is looking good.

I expect that any day now Michael J. Fox will be cured of Parkinson's and Christopher Reeve will walk again.

[paulcissa]

I expect that any day now Michael J. Fox will be cured of Parkinson's and Christopher Reeve will walk again.

I don't think Christopher Reeve (RIP) will be walking anytime soon.

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

new system for focusing sunlight with a fresnel lens

You should see the tiny little ants go up in flames when I do this to them... Ouch!!!

[Nathan Zachary]

cost has always been the problem with solar cells, and will unfortunately, continue to be for decades to come. Until these things can be stamped out cheaply, and last a reasonable length of time, they will never be a practical answer for cheap electricity.

And don't expect that if an answer is found, that it will be made available to the regular Joe for alternative energy. There's no money to be made that way.

A free energy source would cripple our economy as we know it.

[domenad]

If Christopher Reeve starts walking again, I'm getting the hell out of this country. The moon might be a good place to start.

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

[gridlock]

I don't think Christopher Reeve (RIP) will be walking anytime soon.

Do you realize how many dead people got up last Tuesday to vote? The Donks will have Mr. Reeve fixed up in no time!

[kinoxi]

A free energy source would cripple our economy as we know it.

I'm afraid you are right. Attempts should still be made though.

[NicknamedBob]

It seems to me that a system of reclined troughs which track the sun, and focus onto concentrating solar cells -- which are cooled by a liquid flowing from bottom to top, and then into a water system pre-heater, would combine enough efficiency to be of great interest to the homowner.

Especially this homeowner. Hmm, make a great camper, too.

[longtermmemmory]

you comment reminds me of this comic book series called "grendel" a few years back... Similar story with a race to energy tech. First one there has all the political power.

[UNGN]

I don't think Christopher Reeve (RIP) will be walking anytime soon.

Is Larry Flynt dead, yet? If he isn't, then he will be walking soon.

All thanks to the Democrats.

science be praised.

[MeanWestTexan]

I would bet he voted, though.

[NicknamedBob]

"The moon might be a good place to start."

You'll need some solar cells.

Actually, solar dynamic power generation would probably work better up there. A good system was designed in the sixties.

[Rockpile]

"I don't think Christopher Reeve (RIP) will be walking anytime soon."

=================================================

But he probably voted on Tuesday.

[longtermmemmory]

Imagine what happens if this tech is advanced enough just to power a single family home with normal usage.

All of a sudden, every utility company looses every residential account.

Coal demand down, prices plunge then mining goes out.

Also consider the impact on all those who live in areas where sunlight is not a given. In areas with mega condo growth.

It has to be transitioned. However once this hits it will not just be the USA it will be ALL the world.

EU would be devastated, Russia would be wiped out.

The Islamic world would be pushed back into a dessert tribe mentality. Oh wait, they would not change.