Science news — solar cells

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa003&articleID=643C3D30-E7F2-99DF-3108C4CB8A197667&ref=rss

This is the link to a story in Scientific American about a new solar energy cell that doubles the amount of electricity that can be harvested from the sunlight.  Most solar cells are about 20 percent efficient and this new one is closer to 45%.

So what?

Here’s so what:  this means that solar energy can now be produced at about the same price as normal electrical production now on the market and coming into your home.

This is what is known as “disruptive” technological advancement.  It means that the way we live will change.  It means that the American southwest, including Oklahoma, can have the electricity we need without coal and gas fired plants.  One investment one time in land and these solar cells will provide us electricity essentially forever without using non-renewable natural resources. 

“Worthless” land that can’t be used for farming becomes a valuable solar collecting site.

What happens to the price of natural gas?

Oklahoma has more than 200 sunny days, on average, per year.  When the sun doesn’t shine, the wind tends to come up.

How about west Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona?  Same.

Now, export the idea to places in Africa, South America and especially Australia.

You see, it’s not oil, gas or coal we especially want.  It’s fuel.  Something to make things “go” or work.  Mostly, we convert all fuels into electricity (OK.  Yes, I know about cars.  Have you looked into the new electric car, the Tesla?). 

Trust me.  This is big. 

One thought on “Science news — solar cells”

  1. John X

    If the US relied on other countries for most of its food, the way it relies on other countries for its energy, we’d accuse our “leaders” of gross incompetance, if not outright negligence or criminal behavior.

    It’s just stupid—FUCKING STUPID—to haul thick, sticky crude oil on an endless line of gigantic ships from halfway around the world.

    The US, for all its faults, rarely loses a tech battle or war.

    If the US would apply its vast resources to developing new sources of energy instead of, say, new weapons platforms or going to the goddamned moon or Mars, maybe we could wean ourselves sufficiently from foreign oil so we could tell our friends in the Middle East to go fuck themselves, as what they have would be of no interest to us.

    Kinda like it’s always been with Africa.

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