Photovoltaics: Is the 'perfect' the enemy of the 'good'?

[trof]

Google 'more efficient photovoltaics' and you get a zillion hits.
Here and elsewhere I constantly read about 'technological breakthroughs' that produce cheaper and cheaper power.

So why can't I buy any of this technology?
Where is it on the shelves of Lowe's, Home Depot, Ace hardware, or my local electrical supply store"
It always seems to be 'still in development' and '2 or 3 years out'.
Current cost estimates are still $50,000 to $60,000 to go completely off grid.

I don't have that kind of money and I don't have 2 or 3 years.
I need it now.

end of rant
:grr:

[Tesha]

1. The basic problem is still...

The basic problem is still the fact that crystalline silicon
solar cells are still far more efficient than amorphous
silicon solar cells or any other material. And crystalline
silicon solar cells are still made from material (ultrapure
silicon) whose cost is still very high.

We either need to dramatically reduce the cost of the raw
material or switch to a different chemistry for the solar
cells.

What is starting to appear on the "practical" horizon,
though, are multi-layer solar cells that will convert
light from more frequencies than the current silicon
cells. Even though these look they'll be incrememtally
more expensive than the current cells, their quantum
efficiency will be sufficiently higher so that the
overall systems will be less expensive.

Progress *IS* being made.

Tesha

[elocs]

2. I can't afford that kind of thing either, but I do have photovoltaic battery rechargers.

Check out: http://store.sundancesolar.com/40wasoensywi.html

They have lots of solar stuff including photovoltaic, including panels that can be used to power marine batteries from which you can get power. It is a start and a way to get your foot in the water concerning solar power.

[bananas]

3. Demand is greater than supply

if you don't have a 2 or 3 years then you are fucked.
And if you think nucular will save your ass in 2 or 3 years then you are delusional.