[noiseman]

I hope this is a true step forward toward finally realizing cost-effective solar power, but I am skeptical. We've heard similar claims for decades, yet solar cell efficiency has barely improved at all.

It would be great if we could reach the point where each home produces its own power, especially as a defense against potential terrorist attacks on the electrical grid, but so far the economics just aren't there. All of the larger solar power projects across the country that are being touted by liberals are just for show. None of them make sense economically.

[chimera]

No matter what the efficiency, PVs need an energy input in the form of sunlight. There's this natural phenomenon called “night”, and the input drops to zero during that time. Factor in less-than-optimum daytime conditions (clouds, sun angle, etc.), you're probably talking about even lower capacity factors. Sure, when they're working and producing output, your fuel cost is essentially zero, but if you don't have the energy when you need it, you're probably not going to be too happy, low fuel cost or no.