Cost of solar panels expected to plummet

Awesome. That should make the solar power project for my highschool even more feasible.
http://shsgogreen.org/pages/home.php

This is the some of the best news I've had for a long time. Wow! Obama and cheaper solar all in the same week! Doesn't quite make up for that little GM announcement that is going to cost me my job in 2 years, but, still, good news!!

Great news for everyone interested in going green

I hope it keeps getting more affordable. I want it.

YES MASS PRODUCTION<+TECHOLOGICAL ADVANCES= PRICE DROPPING

this is good news.

we'll have the thin PV in our cloths to power are perifierals- phone, mp3, ect...

Sweet....

Great news. I really want solar panels for our house.

If we actually had a government which truly believed in the effectiveness of government, then tax policy could actually be progressively targeted to affect our markets in a positive way. Tax rebates for solar panel installation anyone??

Wonderful news.
Hopefully, as the US government evolves (a sticky word these days), we will be rewarded for our efforts in developing and maintaining cost-effective ways to help the environment.
Wouldn't that be a nice Change?

My state (Washington) IS giving tax breaks for solar panels -- and even MORE breaks if the panels were manufactured IN my state (which none are, currently) -- so hopefully more states will participate, and everyone, EVERYONE, will be able to plug into the free, clean, gift of solar energy, and we will actually achieve energy independence -- what a different world that would become, politically!!!

Sweet. Everyone wants to save money with the cost of your usual dependencies rising (fuel, food, gas bills, etc.), so maybe this will encourage larger amounts of people to invest in solar energy.

After all, we as a nation won't ultimately convert because it's the right thing to do... we'll do it because it's cheaper.

It is great news but I'm skeptical about the popularity of solar energy even after solar panels become cheaper. A few of the problems for pushing towards energy efficiency and going green is that a lot of people resist change.

this is positive news. Now we need to start pumping lots of money into energy R&D to speed up the sophistication of this technology! Let's pass laws that require PV panels to be built into new city construction. Let's urge automakers to build solar roofs on all new cars, all semi trucks, etc. etc. etc. Let's make some bold steps!

Makes me wish I owned a private residence...

Saaaweeeeeet

im buying stock

dude hook me up with some

Woot

Bring on energy independence.

Yeah, but isn't this a good thing, speaking of energy costs and all. Maybe people can take advantage of this, and start to invest in solar energy for their homes.

with the new breakthroughs in photovoltaics there is no reason to keep every building that can support from maximizing their solar potential!

Keep up the good work, Scientists.

please be cheap enough for me!

finally, something being done correctly in the energy crisis.

If every major energy company in the world focused the bulk of their research on making solar panels and thin film PVs cheaper and more efficient, we could utilize it for nearly all of our home and industrial electrical needs and have a clean, long lasting energy solution that would utilize our most precious resource, the sun, and ultimately help prevent the global climate changes brought about from excess carbon emissions. And every major energy company in the world isn't focusing their efforts on solar research and development because...?

Oh right, once the panels are installed and operational, the electric service providers currently sapping our cash couldn't exactly collect a bill from us any longer... moneymoneymoney... the fuckers.

this is great!!! i can't wait to have solar panels installed on my home!! we could get solar panels for our cell phones, mp3 players, cameras, water heating systems, etc! I'm so excited!

I'd be happy if they got a little more efficient too!

haha that is a great toon' this is wonderful news hopefully people will take advantage and realize the cost benefit of having solar panels on their homes. EW have always worshiped the sun now its time to truly harness its power

That is exactly the good news this country needs, I hope they become more and more often as the years progress.

huntre, you may want to read Treasury and IRS Provide Guidance for Energy Credits for Homeowners

IR-2006-34, Feb. 21, 2006

Washington — The Treasury Department and the IRS today have issued guidance (Notice 2006-26) on the certification that homeowners may rely on when they claim credits for purchases that make their homes more efficient.

During 2006, individuals can make energy-conscious purchases that will provide tax benefits when filling out their tax returns next year. The credit will also be available for purchases in 2007. Manufacturers offering energy efficient items such as insulation or storm windows can assure their customers that their energy efficient items will qualify for the tax credit if certain energy efficiency requirements are met.

A recent tax law change provides a tax credit to improve the energy efficiency of existing homes. The law provides a 10 percent credit for buying qualified energy efficiency improvements. To qualify, a component must meet or exceed the criteria established by the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code (including supplements) and must be installed in the taxpayer’s main home in the United States.

The following items are eligible:

Insulation systems that reduce heat loss/gain
Exterior windows (including skylights)
Exterior doors
Metal roofs (meeting applicable Energy Star requirements).
In addition, the law provides a credit for costs relating to residential energy property expenses. To qualify as residential energy property, the property must meet certification requirements prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury and must be installed in the taxpayer’s main home in the United States.

The following items are eligible:

$50 for each advanced main air circulating fan
$150 for each qualified natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boiler
$300 for each item of qualified energy efficient property.
The maximum credit for all taxable years is $500 — no more than $200 of the credit can be attributable to expenses for windows.

Additionally, the new law makes a credit available to those who add qualified solar panels, solar water heating equipment, or a fuel cell power plant to their homes in the United States. In general, a qualified fuel cell power plant converts a fuel into electricity using electrochemical means, has an electricity-only generation efficiency of more than 30 percent and generates at least 0.5 kilowatts of electricity.

Taxpayers are allowed one credit equal to 30 percent of the qualified investment in a solar panel up to a maximum credit of $2,000, and another equivalent credit for investing in a solar water heating system. No part of either system can be used to heat a pool or hot tub.

Additionally, taxpayers are also allowed a 30 percent tax credit for the purchase of qualified fuel cell power plants. The credit may not exceed $500 for each .5 kilowatt of capacity.

These items must be placed in service after Dec. 31, 2005, and before Jan. 1, 2008.

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=154657,00.htm...

We plan on using solar for domestic hot water heating and radiant heat in the basement. That, along with the geotherma heat pump should curb the electric bill.

We are currently putting up about a 5kW system on our house (which is BIG) partly due to our electric truck and building a big enough system for a 2nd electric car. The cost of the panels alone are around $24,000 at about $4.35 per kw. That will make our panels cost $12,000 by 2012. Way more affordable for more people! I do hope this happens so that I can see panels on every house in my neighborhood!

Good to hear, I was just recently talking about how the only downfall to certain energy sources are the potential costs to switch over. This price drop changes the game

@TouchArt... gorgeous photo. thanks for sharing.

by the way... it's not online yet, but check this link when the Spring 2008 issue comes out...

http://www.rpi.edu/dept/metasite/news/magazine/index.ht...

here are some titles and excerpts...

Researchers Develop Darkest Material Ever....

"Able to absorb more than 99.9% of lighting, the discovery could one day be used to boost the effectiveness and efficiency of solar energy conversion, infrared sensors and other devices."


HIV Peptide's Possible Pathway Into Cells...

"...two theoretical physicists at Rensselaer have uncovered what they believe is the long-sought-after pathway that an HIV peptide uses to enter healthy cells. Their discovery could help scientists treat other human illnesses by exploiting the same molecules that make HIV so deadly proficient."


Biochip May End Animal Testing...

"Biochip technology could eliminate animal testing in the chemicals and cosmetics industries, and dreastically curtail its use in the deveopment of new pharmaceuticals..."


[Award]- Winner Develops New LED...

"...a doctoral student in electrical, computer and systems engineering... has developed... an innovation that could vastly improve LCD screens, conserve energy and usher in the next generation of ultra-efficient LEDs."


Safer Radiation for Mothers...

"Rensselaer researchers have developed a new set of modeling tools that could enable safer, more accurate, and more effective radiation therapy and nuclear medicine imaging procedures for pregnant women."

and a nice article on "the Semantic Web."

link, favorite, enjoy... from my alma mater.

It's about time. I can't tell you how many people have said to me that they would certain;y have solar panels if only they could afford them. Now if we could just get some government help then maybe the price would plummet even more

If the government spent money on improving solar market instead of the war, maybe we cud afford it better than gas :)

This is great news, but we have to consider that some places are not able to use solar energy to maintain their energy needs, there are parts of our country that just don't get enough sunlight to make this a viable energy alternative on its own. That said in NC if you have solar panels and run your system and have extra electricity that your battery cannot hold, the electric company is glad to hook up and take the excess and use it in other areas and you get paid for it by the electric co-ops. It is a good thing but there needs to be more progress made in wind and water energy sources and more tax cuts and cities going this route. California would be smart to start placing these solar panels atop all of the buildings in the greater los angeles area, we could probably power half the west coast with all the sunshine here :)