Discussion on:

The GE-First Solar panel efficiency battle is on

Now that GE has entered the solar "game", I bet we're going to start seeing more developments in the renewable energy field. Competition brings out the best in corporations (trying to get the most income, but still) so in the end, the consumer wins with more technology available to us.

Juan Miguel Ruiz (Going Green)

Are we talking about the competition for government subsidies? Until solar power can stand on its own two legs without government handouts, it will be just a toy.
Unchain our country and let's all solve our energy problems. Green energy produces only 1 percent of our country's consumption. We still need nuclear and fossil fuels. We have the resources just remove all these stupid road blocks.

The only way I see for your statement to be valid is to say solar and wind don't produce all the time. I'll put that up against environmental negatives of fossil fuels and the inevitable break downs and power outages from whatever cause. Then there is the FACT that renewables are just cheaper over time without subsidies.

Fossil fuel and nuclear energy can only be justified in 2013 to the extent they cannot be replaced by alternatives ie, wind, hydro and solar because the wind and sun are intermittent.

Net metering and the smart grid, supported by traditional centralized power production open up opportunities for huge efficiency gains by maximizing wind, but mostly solar. There is enough properly oriented roof space(just the roofs) to produce 75% of our energy needs today.

In my area of S.W. Fl. I witnessed a 2 megawatt solar installation at FGCU cost $8.50/watt, 6 years ago.

I just got a quote for 365 watts turn key for less than $3/watt (roof installed). The cost of the product has really come down as well as the installation costs. That's innovation, at least in large part.

With 25-30 year warranty on products and them likely to produce nigh on to 40yrs the economics really work. If I was in the Big Electricity business, like FP&L I would be corrupting some legislators to keep the wolves from blowing their house down. Oh, that's right. They already own the Public Service Commission and GOP controlled Florida legislature.