Potential low cost, high performance solar

[Arthur Hanson]

A 2-terminal perovskite/silicon multijunction solar cell enabled by a silicon tunnel junction

Solar power is advancing at such a rate as to soon be a real threat to the utilities. As soon as battery technology catches up, the grid based utilities will start to decline in many areas. Governments will have to figure out new ways to tax and control us, when the power structure becomes independent of government control. I feel within five years solar will be a completely viable option as it already provides five percent of the power in California and is increasing at a rapid clip. Solar is just one example of the penetration of semi technology into everything. I feel the penetration of semi technology is still in the early stages, medical and energy, energy storage, energy manipulation (super caps), controllable surfaces, filters are just a few areas that present large growth opportunities. Exploration is a key part of the Silicon Valley ethos/culture. Their are many frontiers that remain virtually unexplored. Wide open forums like SemiWiki are an ideal place to explore what these new frontiers may be.

 

[lefty]

Yeah, I my opinion all solar needs to take off is one more big technolgical advancement. If they could double the efficiency without increasing cost, that would do the trick.

 

[Arthur Hanson]

Lefty, it's really some better battery technology that's needed. Much solar already produces power cheaper than the grid, just at the wrong times. I give it three years and we'll start to see batteries for solar start to be mass marketed. There is a very good chance these new batteries will be using semi technology.