Subject: Re: What's the current status of Solar Energy?

From: [email-masked] (Don Kulha)
Date: 11 Jul 1994 21:07:49 -0000

On 11 Jul 1994, 4016 wrote:

> What's up with solar energy, in the form of photoelectric panels?

    Good things are up friend. The runs rains down it's bounty (often as 
much as 1070 watts of power in a square meter), and we are getting much 
better at utilizing it....

> How efficient are they?

    Average conversion efficency is around 12-13% currently. Some panels 
are a bt better, some worse. The above is for a silicon crystalline 
cell). Some amorphous (thin film) cells are getting around 9-10%. Some of 
the new laser grooved cells are up around 17% efficency (BP 90 watt 
panels). Lab measured efficency of some exotic (ie., expensive) cells 
primarily meant for space applications is around 23%.

> How much do they cost?

    A good yardstick is about $6 per watt/hour of generating capacity. A 
50 watt panel (about 1x4 feet) cost about $300 and makes about 50 
watts/hr in full sun. Used panels can be cheaper (as low as $2.50 per 
watt) and some are a bit more. The smaller the panel the higher the cost 
$/watt.

> Who sells them?

Dozens of outfits. My personal favorites for mail order is:

Alternative Energy Engineering (1-800-777-6609), POB 339, Redway CA 
95560, ask for their catalog.

Additionally you'll find dozens of other vendors in Home Power 
magazine.
        DCK