Science & Technology (alternative energy)

Honda has announced that it will enter the solar cell market in 2007. "Japan's third-biggest automaker said in a statement it would build a new factory for solar cells on the site of a car plant in Kumamoto prefecture, on the southwestern Japanese island of Kyushu." They will make cells for both the residential and industrial sectors. "Honda said its solar cells would be composed of non-silicon compound materials, consuming half as much energy and generating 50 percent less carbon dioxide during production when compared with conventional solar cells made from silicon." An interesting potential use: "Honda is also considering a scheme that would use solar cells to power a home electrolysis unit for the production of hydrogen for vehicle refueling." ::Honda says to mass-produce solar cells from 2007, ::Honda Entering Solar Cell Market for Homes and Vehicles