Solar Panel Breaks "Third of a Sun" Efficiency Barrier

Zothecula writes "Embattled photovoltaic solar power manufacturer Amonix announced on Tuesday that it has broken the solar module efficiency record, becoming the first manufacturer to convert more than a third of incoming light energy into electricity – a goal once branded 'one third of a sun' in a Department of Energy initiative. The Amonix module clocked an efficiency rating of 33.5 percent."

Comments

I'd do it tomorrow

[rueger]

I never seriously looked at solar and other "off the grid" options until investigating a house on an island off Vancouver.

It was new, purpose built, so had some obvious advantages, but what I took away from it was:

• All electricity was from solar panels on the roof, with a small generator for backup when running things like power tools.
• All water was from captured and filter/UVed rainwater.
• Cooking and refrigeration was propane powered.
• Woodstove for heating.

Obviously location and climate matter, but at the end of the day it was a viable and practical option, and one that made economic sense as well.

Sooner or later some bright government will figure out that by heavily subsidizing the installation of solar in homes they'll a) Develop a very viable industry b) drop solar costs due to volume c) get relected because everyone's electric bills will drop d) boost the economy because the money that was going to the electric company can be spent elsewhere. Now, I'm still a fan of hydroelectricity - if you need to generate electrical without generating CO2 and pollution, and without the no-nukes crowd at your door, there isn't a better way to go.