I read this really cool article a while back and thought it would be a good one to share.
http://unbridledspeculation.com/2011/03/17/the-exponential-gains-in-solar-power-per-dollar/
Summary:
The sun is a super-abundant source of energy - ‘In 14 and a half seconds, the sun provides as much energy to Earth as humanity uses in a day’. The problem is that we aren’t very good at capturing it. Currently, solar produces only about 0.2% of humanity’s energy because ‘up until now, while solar energy has been abundant, the systems to capture it have been expensive and inefficient’. But things are changing.
The cost of solar energy has been decreasing exponentially for 30 years from $22 in 1980 to under $3 today.
The things driving this change are that firstly, manufacturers are learning how to do more with less and reduce their costs. Secondly, researchers are continually improving the efficiency of cells.
What does this mean? It is projected that in the US in 2020 the price of solar electricity will cost the same amount as electricity from fossil fuels. In 2030 it will cost half of that…Amazing!
Geordie - the rentoid team.
