[aquila48]

Part of the problem with solar power is that only 1/3 of the cost is solar cells, the other 2/3 is installation and other electronic and electric parts, so even if the cost of solar cells goes to zero you’re still paying 2/3 of the cost.

And of course you still have the minor problem of “night”.

[SampleMan]

Part of the problem with solar power is that only 1/3 of the cost is solar cells, the other 2/3 is installation and other electronic and electric parts, so even if the cost of solar cells goes to zero you’re still paying 2/3 of the cost.

Are there power generation methods that do not require installation and other electrical components???? Miles of heavy gauge copper wire, transformers, and poles ain't cheap.

[Talisker]

Part of the problem with solar power is that only 1/3 of the cost is solar cells, the other 2/3 is installation and other electronic and electric parts, so even if the cost of solar cells goes to zero you’re still paying 2/3 of the cost.

From the article: The point is that while these cells are merely as efficient as very good photovoltaic panels, they use only about a hundredth of the material. Also the new design is highly flexible: built on a bed of silicon, Atwater’s micrwire arrays can simply be peeled off and stuck pretty much wherever you want. “They could even be integrated into buildings, as components that match the shape of roof tiles,” says Atwater.