Photovoltaics Break the Cost Barrier « It’s Getting Hot In Here

That’s right, you heard it. Solar Photovoltaics (PVs) are cost-effective. Don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.

Two important news stories:

1) The 40% conversion efficiency threshold has been reached and surpassed. According to the U.S. Department of Energy itself, PVs are now “producing electricity at a cost of 8-10 cents per kilowatt/hour, making solar electricity a more cost-competitive and integral part of our nation’s energy mix.”

2) Even more compelling, one company is giving away PV cost savings, through a no-cost rental program. According to an article called No Excuses for Not Buying Green Power, they have “used financial engineering and a complete redesign of the solar electric business model to make solar economic for homeowners in forty U.S. states and to build a 40% to 50% cost advantage over their competitors.” That’s right, cost SAVINGS through home photovoltaics. The company is willing to put up everything, from production to installation, for free.

About Mattie

Matt/Mattie Reitman got introduced to energy and climate work as an undergrad at Syracuse University, where he helped start a successful campaign to get the university to buy 20% clean renewable energy. At the time, this put SU amongst the top 25 renewables purchasers in the country. Mattie is focused on building the youth climate movement in Ohio, fighting proposed dirty energy facilities, and building campus-community solidarity. He has a degree in women's studies and sociology, and lives in Columbus, Ohio.

3 Responses to “Photovoltaics Break the Cost Barrier”

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1 Loie Dec 9th, 2006 at 10:34 pm

Matt, Thanks for the tip about Citizenre ReNu. Looks like a very exciting new business model for expanding solar PV dramatically. Have you heard any reports from people who’ve actually signed contracts with them for PV panels?
Loie
2 Matt Reitman Dec 11th, 2006 at 2:18 pm

Nope, and as with any corporate entity I would suggest researching them until you feel comfortable. As far as I can tell, though, it looks like a good deal to me. One awkward bit is that I imagine that the company makes a good chunk of their money from tax credits and kickbacks for installing the units, rather than the actual electricity generation.
3 Matt Reitman Feb 14th, 2007 at 3:33 pm

Wait wait wait.

From Renewable Energy Access:

Citizenre: A House of Cards?
2.12.2007

“After several weeks of reviewing this new company’s claims, discussing the manufacturing build out plan and its network marketing approach with others in the solar energy industry, plus reading online commentaries from a variety of sources and actually talking with representatives of the company, I have pieced together enough information to express my opinion that Citizenre is not going to be able to stand up to their promises.”

“In its current incarnation, it is my opinion that Citizenre represents a significant threat to the solar industry. Exaggerated claims, inability to deliver product, sales to areas where they do not intend to install soon. These issues can taint the entire solar industry. Worse, misled customers will delay or not buy products from reputable dealers, putting these sound businesses at risk.”

(sorry if the link doesn’t work - REA’s articles become subscriber only after they’ve been out for a couple weeks)