Nanosolar facility to triple US solar production
The US is about to nearly triple its production of solar cells, thanks to nanotechnology and California-based Nanosolar.
The company is currently looking for sites in the San Francisco bay area to build the world's largest factory for making solar power cells, which will ultimately produce enough cells to power 325,000 homes. Nanosolar CEO Martin Roscheisen says the facility will open by the end of this year.
Nanosolar produces thin-film solar cells that can be seamlessly integrated into building facades. The cells will also power large-scale stand-alone power plants.
The announcement has both investors and environmentalists seeing green. Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page have invested heavily in Nanosolar. And Carl Pope, national executive director of the Sierra Club, had this to say:
"Cleaning up the environment can be an economic opportunity. We are going to need these kind of breakthroughs. It is wonderful that Silicon Valley is taking the lead and that it is happening here.''
"This is a spectacular announcement,'' added Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association, in Washington DC. "This is a very important step for us to address the energy crisis we face in this country. We cannot drill our way out or mine our way out, but we can manufacture our way out.'' (photo Nanosolar)
YESSSSSS!
December 23rd, 2006 at 6:19 am“They’ll never raise the price of sunlight”.
now, there is a real chance to help with global warming…
Hooray for nanosolar!!!
Good news – would like to see follow-up articles to track the progress of this company and other solar energy innovators.
December 26th, 2006 at 6:48 pm2007 will be a big year for the nanotech/solar tandem technologies and I look forward to sharing updates with you as they come along.
December 26th, 2006 at 8:37 pmI agree, with all the pressure from the outside, US will have to produce more ecological energy.
April 25th, 2007 at 12:21 pmIt is my belief that that science and technology, guided by purpose and vision, can deliver new energy resources that are clean, reliable, and secure, can diversify our energy supply, reduce our dependence on imported fuels, improve the quality of the air we breathe, offset greenhouse gas emissions.
April 26th, 2007 at 5:07 pmTaking advantage of solar energy is one way that consumers can save considerable amounts of energy. Solar energy systems are most commonly used to provide hot water for residential uses; for example, if you live in Florida, a pool is the ultimate accessory for your home but no one likes to swim in icy water. Solar can heat the water in your pool to a nice temperature.
May 3rd, 2007 at 2:24 amTaking advantage of solar energy is one way that consumers can save considerable amounts of energy. Solar energy systems are most commonly used to provide hot water for residential uses; for example, if you live in Florida, a pool is the ultimate accessory for your home but no one likes to swim in icy water. Solar can heat the water in your pool to a nice temperature.
May 29th, 2007 at 7:48 amIf consider that the energy that reaches Earth from sunlight in one hour is more than that used by all human activities in one year, it’s a very good idea to power our homes and offices for free electricity from the sun. But we still have more research to do before the process becomes cost effective. Demand and module efficiencies are constantly rising, prices are falling, and the world is becoming increasingly aware of environmental concerns associated with conventional power sources, making photovoltaics a technology with a bright future.
June 4th, 2007 at 2:29 am