Posted on 05/16/2008 8:27:24 AM PDT by Red Badger
Exactly what I’m thinking. Therrionics + CPV for direct electrical generation. We could even do a Quadruple combination of Thermionics + CPV using Salt Water to cool the system, which would be turned to steam, further generating electricity AND we could desalinate the salt water. Sun + Heat + Salt Water In , Electricity + fresh water out.
ENECO - Breakthrough energy conversion technique, thermal chips ...Thermionic energy conversion works in the manner shown schematically in Figure 1 ... for example a thermal diode made of silicon must have approximately 200 ...
www.eneco.com/tech_science.html
$5 a watt isn’t as bad as you would think....
According the the Energy Department (if you believe anything coming from the government), a new coal power plant typically costs $2.10 per Watt of capacity to construct.
Considering that the fuel is free, solar can cost more to install and pay itself back. $5 per Watt is likely still too high... but if you can get below $3 per Watt, you’re looking better....
Personally, with the amount of electricity my house consumes on average, a system that cost $2 per Watt would be VERY well worth the investment. Considering tax benefits, final cost could be as little as $4000... knocking out that electric bill at that investment cost would be equivalent to getting 23% annual return on investment...
Can you tell me more about the publicaly funded projects. By FReepMail if that is easier. Actually a subject of particular interest right now.
Very accurate, active pointing required!?
“Considering tax benefits, final cost could be as little as $4000..”
So it works as long as you get tax welfare ? That’s not a solution. I watched wind power companies go bankrupt ten years ago when Congress took away their tax subsidies. No industry can survive if it is dependent on the whims of Congress.
Luckily, that won’t be necessary. anosolar is producing panels at $1 per watt, and their entire production capacity is booked through 2009. It costs them 30 cents per watt ot make those cells, so they have a decent profit margin and capacity will eventually catch up with demand. Complete solar PV systems at $2 per watt are only a few years away.
“Oddly, and contrary to some opinion, the big private investors in solar cell tech are big oil.”
I wonder how much of that is just PR so they can be seen to be “doing something” about alternative energy sources?
I didn’t say it would *only* work with tax benefits....
I said that considering tax benefits it would cost very little.
Big difference.
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