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The largest Solar Cell provider in the US reveals that demand for solar energy keeps growing

Red Herring is running an interview with Ron Kenedi, Vice President of the Solar Energy Group at Sharp Electronics.  Despite 60% growth, a 43% market share and the undisputed champion of solar energy in the US, Kenedi claims "We’re getting more silicon than anyone else in the world, but we really could double sales if we had [more of] the silicon."

Between tax credits and rebates, the incentive to offset some grid power on new housing seems more and more enticing.  Considering payback periods on your average 1kW solar array have already dropped from 30 years to 20 years in just the few years I have been researching the technology, it seems increasingly likely that my next residence will definitely have some solar capability.  Kenedi's comments about silicon quantity are somewhat troubling, but considering the entire solar industry has doubled in size every year for the last 5 years, logistics problems are hardly a surprise. 


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not in Michigan...
By bobsmith1492 on 2/6/2006 5:24:28 PM , Rating: 3
Well, solar won't catch on anytime soon here in Michigan; we get so little sun each year, those things would take forever to pay for themselves. We just set a record here with some 21 days without direct sunlight. :P




RE: not in Michigan...
By spwrozek on 2/6/2006 5:33:09 PM , Rating: 2
At least we have those AWESOME windmills by the bridge! That doesn't wreck northern LP at all. Woot the UP, no sun, lots of snow, moose, and 50 bucks a month for 3Meg internet!

Although If I could I would use solar panels because they are sweet. Maybe you could also blind your annoying neighbors every once and a while.


RE: not in Michigan...
By bobsmith1492 on 2/6/2006 7:40:34 PM , Rating: 2
Actually, my dad has thought about getting some windmills to put up out at our property; it's always windy out there. However, he had me look some up, and going by the rate we pay for electricity, I figured they'd take some 70 years to pay for themselves, assuming they're picking up wind very consistantly.

I do love those windmills though; I don't live up there, but they're sweet to see whenever I go that way.


RE: not in Michigan...
By codeThug on 2/6/2006 6:57:45 PM , Rating: 2
Dewd I feel for you. Born and raised in Eastern Iowa. I couldn't wait to get the 'F out. Living in the southwest now for 25 years. Lot's o'sunshine.

Water is another story though...


RE: not in Michigan...
By NagoyaX on 2/6/2006 10:41:16 PM , Rating: 2
Heh, its a nice though but soooooooo useless here in vancouver BC.
We get rain 7 out of 12 months... we just finished a month with 29 days of rain... gezee >.<
so much rain and cloud... nice technology though


RE: not in Michigan...
By ZmaxDP on 2/7/2006 12:30:25 AM , Rating: 4
A few mentionables about direct solar collectors: (Photovoltaeics)

1. They actually collect energy when any light hits them. Light from a street lamp can generate current. Not much, but a little. On a very cloudy day a modern array will operate at roughly 20% efficiency. That is enough to run a computer, and some lighting, even if you have no storage (batteries or grid tide inverter) So, though they are less efficient in climates with less sun exposure, you're still not that far off them being worthwhile.

2. A 1 kilowatt array is not enough to run a normal household without being supported continuously by grid connection (your utility company). However, a 3KW array can run an average house most of the year without having to use grid energy very often. Most studies site a 1KW array and then say that it will take 20 years to pay for itself. However, if you look at studies of larger arrays, even though the up front cost is higher, the rebates and tax cuts scale up too and you can pay for an array inside of 10 years in most places, 5 years in some. I happen to live in Austin, TX and the city energy company also has rebates and you can install a 3KW array for about 3 to 5 thousand dollars out of pocket. That will pay for itself in 3 to 5 years - or even less with energy prices rising every day.

3. The federal government passed a law requiring energy companies to pay the consumer if their meter runs backwards because they are generating energy (from solar arrays, windmills, whatever) So, if you install a 3KW solar array and a grid tide inverter you will recieve checks from your energy company anytime you produce more than you use. (Unfortunately, the law doesn't state what rates they have to buy the energy from you at, and it is usually a much lower rate than you get charged when you use more than you produce.)

4. Convection solar collection (evacuated tubes, hot water boxes, etc...) are technically more efficient at converting solar energy to heat than PV's are at converting it to energy. (Modern PV's convert roughly 20% of solar energy to electrical energy. The rest is converted to heat. A good evacuated tube setup will convert around 90% to heat energy.) However, you have the problem of storage. The higher the difference between the stored temperature and the ambient temperature, the more heat transfer you have. So, you loose alot of efficiency in high heat systems (like evacuated tubes) with storage. A lower temperature unit (hot water box) will be more efficient overall because it stores relatively cooler water. Which system is right depends on your demand, and if you have a supplemental water heater (preferably a tankless hot water heater - much more efficient!).

5. Other changes in your lifestyle and appliances can make a difference as well. Buying energy star rated appliances and other energy efficient systems (tankless hot water heaters, induction stovetops, more efficient computers and monitors, TV's, better insulation, reducing air infiltration, etc...) can drastically reduce your energy usage. I have a professor at my architecture school with a 2.4 KW array who makes money off the energy company every year. His house is two and a half years old and his solar array has already paid for itself. Since he built it new the appliances were part of his home building costs, and don't tack on much to the costs he's trying to re-coup with the solar array.

6. Go to Google and search for "Solar Decathlon" You'll find an interesting program to look at. Also, feel free to visit www.utsolard.org - our website for UT's entry into the Solar Decathlon. Also, for you coloradans, your team won both competitions and have a streak going. All the sites offer tons of information, and have links and contact info if you're looking for more...

Go Solar!



RE: not in Michigan...
By maxusa on 2/7/2006 1:02:47 PM , Rating: 3
I looked at this Sharp Calculator (http://www.clean-power.com/sharp/default.aspx) to estimate the payback, and it seems that the payback is still around 20 years. Please post if you have info to support 10-year payback you mentioned.


good
By FearaFox on 2/6/2006 6:17:28 PM , Rating: 3
solar and other such renewable energies have plenty of "bugs" to iron out compared to what we are used to today, but I find articles like this encouraging. High demand for a renewable energy source shows that people actually care, despite 20 year paybacks.

I'm currently trying to convince my family to invest in small solar project, more like water heating then the entire house.





RE: good
By blobguy on 2/6/2006 10:30:05 PM , Rating: 2
You may want to look into Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors
they are Very Efficient and Relatively Cheap I think.

example:
http://www.sssolar.com/collectors.asp


RE: good
By kattanna on 2/7/2006 1:05:18 PM , Rating: 2
but dont you feel good knowing that you have helped to contribute to the energy companies RECORD profits..

world record profits that is...

i know it leaves me with the warm fuzzy....



RE: good
By kattanna on 2/7/2006 1:06:23 PM , Rating: 2
ACK...that reply was meant for the guy talking about his power bill...

BAH



RE: good
By FearaFox on 2/7/2006 5:52:04 PM , Rating: 2
lol i was gonna saayyy..

thx for the link blobguy, will look into it!


Down with local power monopoly
By maxusa on 2/6/2006 11:31:59 PM , Rating: 2
Here in Reno, Nevada, we have over 300 sunny days a year. If the payback of a solar system is 5~10 years, I will be jumping on it.

This year, the local power monopoly (Sierra Pacific) jacked electric and gas rates, so our monthly bill in January was $455.92 for a 2300-sq.foot (255-sq.m) home, by no means a mansion. Our January 2004 bill was $377.45, and we consumed more last year. This is getting ridiculous! What kind of earnings shall a household have to afford this!?

Down with the local monopoly!!!




Project
By ceefka on 2/7/2006 6:07:57 AM , Rating: 2
The house we bought had solar panels included as part of the project. There are 4 panels that cover around 3 sqm in total. It gets us a 5% discount on the total energy bill. Several facts contribute to it being so low, like the conclusion in .3 by ZmaxDP. It's a good thing though.




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