Incredible Growth for Solar Power Industry
by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 04. 4.07
The salmon-pink Financial Times reports today that the solar equipment industry is on a path to grow amazingly fast: From 20 billion dollars last year to 90 billion dollars in 2010. "Profit growth is expected to accelerate even faster, as costs are contained, pushing margins up to nearly 60 per cent." These high profits hopefully will mean more capital investments into production facilities and R&D (which will help further decrease costs), and more companies entering that sector.
A 10-fold increase in production of high-purity silicon, the main material used to make solar panels, is also forecasted for 2015 by Photon Consulting, a German research group. In recent years, because the supply couldn't keep up with demand, silicon has reached prices as high as $300,000 (!) per tonne. ::Solar energy demand soars. See also (we recommend it strongly if you want to learn more about the solar industry): ::Video: Past, Present and Future of the Solar Industry
PV is not the answer for future electricity unless
the price decreases dramatically. A home owner is not going to spend $20000-$30000 to power their house with no forseeable payback. More immediate savings can be had by a Solar Water Heater priced between $3000-$4000 installed. After being in the solar business 22 years people are more willing to spend that amount of money, with a 5-7yr payback and helping the enviroment at the same time.
Steven
--
editor note: PV prices *are* decreasing dramatically. I suggest you check out the video linked at the end of this post, it contains a lot of data.
Answer:
Thin Film Solar Panels
Solar power really seems to be hitting maturation now, all driven by strides in materials science. Along with the diminishing cost of high purity silicon there are new materials like photovoltaic cells on polymer foils. They are lightweight, flexible, and increasingly cost efficient. The Swiss company Flisom has announced that they plan to reach a cost of $1 per Watt within the decade. That sort of technology makes solar a viable option not just for the home owner but for low current devices like cell phones and portable electronics. Personally I'm very happy to see solar power have such a, pardon the pun, sunny future.
D.
the claim below is absolutely ridiculous. photovoltaics or commonly known as solar electricity has a great payback period. better than predicted. with personal energy conservation and a proper PV (Photovoltaic) system could have the potential of a 7-10 year period at the current "expected" rate of energy prices rising costs. those increases will affect everyones electric bill. for a new homeowner with a first or 2nd mortgage banks are more than willing to dish out the extra cash for these systems.
on further note most areas in the United States offer money for electricity returned to the grid. so if a person has a 8kw System and they're running on a nice sunny day at full capacity and they're at work, or wherever and they're not using electricity and that will either credit towards their electrical bill which is already reduced.
PV systems cost $8-12 per watt. NY and a lot of states offer $4 per watt CASH incentives for residential. materials paid for as soon as they're delivered, dont even have to be installed. you even get more for agricultural and commercial. if you take that and include the federal incentive which currently has 2 categories as i understand Residental ($2000 cap) and (commercial $20k) but regardless when these caps are lifted the number of people of getting these systems with fold at least four. It's amazing the rate of growth and i'm honored and lucky to be involved in this buisness.
the claim below is absolutely ridiculous. photovoltaics or commonly known as solar electricity has a great payback period. better than predicted. with personal energy conservation and a proper PV (Photovoltaic) system could have the potential of a 7-10 year period at the current "expected" rate of energy prices rising costs. those increases will affect everyones electric bill. for a new homeowner with a first or 2nd mortgage banks are more than willing to dish out the extra cash for these systems.
on further note most areas in the United States offer money for electricity returned to the grid. so if a person has a 8kw System and they're running on a nice sunny day at full capacity and they're at work, or wherever and they're not using electricity and that will either credit towards their electrical bill which is already reduced.
PV systems cost $8-12 per watt. NY and a lot of states offer $4 per watt CASH incentives for residential. materials paid for as soon as they're delivered, dont even have to be installed. you even get more for agricultural and commercial. if you take that and include the federal incentive which currently has 2 categories as i understand Residental ($2000 cap) and (commercial $20k) but regardless when these caps are lifted the number of people of getting these systems with fold at least four. It's amazing the rate of growth and i'm honored and lucky to be involved in this buisness.
exciting possibility, hopefully won't derail from the need for us to reduce energy needs.
I work for a Solar Co in NJ and there is a 5-7 yr payback for PV systems. A state rebate and SREC or Green tag program are the reason. Many other states are adopting this same paradigm and countries like Germany and Spain are way ahead of the U.S. when it comes to Solar. It not only makes sense, but creates jobs and a whole industry within each state/country that adopts it. I've seen this first hand in NJ.
It's useful to note that alternative energy sources are becoming more of a focus in the economic marketplace. Higher demand for materials like silicon will draw new attenion to environmental issues associated with mining. I agree with earlier postings that the initial prohibitive costs for some of these appealing alternatives to fossil fuels keep them out of reach. Being a Canadian living in Australia, I marvel at the comparisons that can be made in government tax incentives for converting to alternative energy. In Canada, the tax break for solar energy can be up to 25%. As for other countries, for example, check this out: http://www.thesolarguide.com/solar-energy-systems/financing-incentives.aspx
The issue with solar energy is that there are many renewable resources that are more consistent and less expensive. For instance if one were to live near a strong water source hydro electricity would be a first choice. The fact that solar energy is so expensive and creates such a hassle makes other sources more popular.
I have looked at solor panels for an application I am working on. They told me it would cost me $40,000 to do the project. why should i pay that much when I can get a line ran to the location for 50 bucks a month. Solor needs to be improved drastically and quickly.
We wish to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to
the total sum of $4,100,000.00(Four million One hundred thousand United
States Dollars) in Madrid Spain to the intent of the deceased (name now
withheld since this is our second letter to you).We contacted you
because you bear the surname identity and therefore can present you as
the
beneficiary to the inheritance since there is no written will.
We therefore reckoned that you can receive these funds as you are
qualified by your name identity. All the legal papers will be processed
in
your acceptance. In your acceptance of this deal, we request that you
kindly forward to us your letter of acceptance; your current telephone
and fax numbers and a forwarding address to enable us file necessary
documents at our high court probate division for the release of this
sum of
money.
micheal robert
I see more and more people adapting to this technology. From a financial prospective what companies are the leaders in the solar powered industry. Not only am I looking for a return on an investment, but I can sleep at night knowing that my money is being used to make the earth a bettre place.