Clear Solar Panels Double As Projection Screens

EnergyEfficient writes "Metropolis Magazine has an article about a company that is producing transparent solar panels. The panels 'can generate 3.8 watts of electricity per square foot, an above-average level of efficiency.' They come in a thick version that can be used for glazing buildings. Imagine if all those glass skyscrapers could also produce power! As an interesting aside, they can also be used as screens for projection TV units."

Comments

Re:Cool!

[NanoGator]

" Wait, how much do the super-efficient panels cost? Oops..."

A.) Prices will go down if these things take off.

B.) Think of how much cheaper the electric bill will be. (Also consider how much more regular it has the potential to be.)

C.) Imagine if an ill-timed power outage wouldn't necessarily mean the building was affected.

I imagine once somebody sits down with a calculator and thinks out 5 to 10 years, the cost will end up being quite competitive AND they get bonus features to boot.

Just because something starts out at a high price doesn't always mean the value's not there, or that the price will always stay that way. The main reason I'm replying is not so much because of your particular comment, but because I've seen a great deal of sticker-shock on Slashdot without understanding some of these basic things about how technology economics works.