Solar Power at 1/10th the cost. And it is "ideal for cloudy climates." [View All]

[jsamuel]

I am so tired of people who keep saying solar is "not the way to go" because it is too expensive. Sure, RIGHT NOW IT IS. That's why we research it more and it may be the solution in the future.

Taking Nature's Cue For Cheaper Solar Power
April 6, 2007

Science Daily — Solar cell technology developed by Massey University’s Nanomaterials Research Centre will enable New Zealanders to generate electricity from sunlight at a 10th of the cost of current silicon-based photo-electric solar cells.

Dr Wayne Campbell and researchers in the centre have developed a range of coloured dyes for use in dye-sensitised solar cells.

The synthetic dyes are made from simple organic compounds closely related to those found in nature. The green dye Dr Campbell (pictured) is synthetic chlorophyll derived from the light-harvesting pigment plants use for photosynthesis.

...

Dr Campbell says that unlike the silicon-based solar cells currently on the market, the 10x10cm green demonstration cells generate enough electricity to run a small fan in low-light conditions – making them ideal for cloudy climates. The dyes can also be incorporated into tinted windows that trap to generate electricity.

...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070405171830.htm

And why is it that solar is a solution? Because, from the article:
“The energy that reaches earth from sunlight in one hour is more than that used by all human activities in one year”