| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| RichardW |
Solar prices set to dropI hope that this is true cos we want quite a few of them.Article HERE Justme |
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| vegplot |
I hope so. | ||||||
| RichardW |
Prob happen the day AFTER I buy mine...
Justme |
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| James |
In 2006, a South African scientist developed a very efficient, very cheap PV cell which could be mass produced without the need for sterile conditions required in silicon semi-conductors. I checked up on its progress in 2007 and found that a German company had bought the rights and was building a factory to start mass production for a European market. Last I heard was that they were due to launch the pannel in Europe in spring 2008. They expected this pannel to significantly reduce the cost of pv technology and increase the output per m2. I guess this fits with the expected drop in solar cost.
here is an article on the South African solar cell from 2006. |
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| RichardW |
Sounds like the flexible panels we aleady have?
Justme |
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| kevin.vinke |
It would certainly be good news for me. I´t´s very popular here but you have to sell to the electricity company and then buy back. | ||||||
| RichardW |
Thats madness. Whats the sell & buy prices? What about the off grid ones? Justme |
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| kevin.vinke |
I can find out. There are several in the village with their roofs covered in them.
I believe I´m correct in saying that you are not allowed to go off grid. |
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| thos |
What happens here is that for €80 the electrickery company installs a meter that runs backwards and any electricity produced but not used turns the meter back, and so saves 21c per kWh. In addition there is a meter connected to the panels that shows all the solar produced and every MWh yields seven green certificates that are then sold at a guaranteed €65 (currently €90), which works out at a total of 67c to 84c per kWh produced. Even with the subsidy it is not a cost-effective investment. |
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| vegplot |
I thought the incentive in Germany was very favourable export price i.e. you sold at a highr price than you buy. One of the reasons Germany has so many wind farms but not much wind resource. |
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| kevin.vinke |
Oh yes you do come out well especially the wind turbines but a lot of that is to do with subsidies. Even if they are not turning you still make money. Not so good for the consumer though since price hikes can be explained in terms of having to have a higher "green" energy content. |
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| vegplot |
We'll all be paying more for our energy anway. Wind and PV may well be cheaper sooner rather than later if fossil fuels prices keep rising the way they are. |