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Solyndra's Thin-Film Solar Cells Draw $1.2 Billion In Orders

SolarSells writes "Solyndra makes funky-looking cylindrical solar cells that resemble compact fluorescent lightbulbs. Their products are meant for office buildings, and are made from a thin coating of copper indium gallium diselenide on glass tubes. Although they might not be able to fill them till 2012, the company has already received $1.2 billion in orders. Their manufacturing tricks make the cells so cheap that they may be competitive with other forms of power even after solar subsidies are phased out."

3 of 131 comments (clear)

  1. Good by Eddy+Luten · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It's good to see that people still invest in alternative sources of energy. $1.2B in pre-orders can't be bad and (I think) shows a great sign of faith in these technologies.

  2. bottom-up power by xappax · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "What Gronet envisions is solar panels installed on your average Home Depot or Ikea, generating a substantial percentage of the company's power needs right on site."

    This is the best possible outcome of the energy crisis: an efficient, sustainable, and most importantly decentralized power infrastructure. Let's hope these technologies really do take hold.

  3. Re:Glass tubes? by X0563511 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Just like they demolish your home's windows, and your car's windshield....

    --
    For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...