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Why
solar, and why now?
Solar
PV is
expected to get 30% cheaper for consumers within the next 4-7 years.
New technologies are coming online today
(CdTe, CIGS, CPV, nanotech, etc) that produce massive quantities of
solar cells at much cheaper costs. Check the "news" link above for the
latest information on these technologies.
What's important to
keep in mind is that as these prices drop demand will outstrip supply
for some time. It is indeed a
lucrative business, but only those with existing relationships with
solar manufacturers will be able to source the solar panels - which is
already
somewhat of a challenge.
Grid prices for electricity are
soaring, and will continue to do so, especially as we move away from
being a petroleum based economy.
If you want to add solar to your mix and if you wait until demand is
even
higher then you'll have a difficult time sourcing panels, not to
mention that by then someone else will then have visibility as the
solar provider in your region.
For a glimpse of where things are
already heading please consider
the following:
First
Solar's CdTe solar cells which cost ½ the price of conventional solar
cells, are already sold out for the next 2 years.
Many
industry analysts estimate that with rising output at an exponential
rate due to technology-breakthroughs solar costs should drop
50% in 4 years and 70% by 2021 (David
Heidenreich, President of IPESsol, Inc).
National,
state, and local governments are rebating solar and providing solar
incentives at an unprecedented level, and all presidential
incumbents promise many more incentives. Grid prices for
electricity are expected to increase significantly in the
next 15 years. Energy
independence is becoming
a more demanding need in the commercial world, which can loose millions
when grid power goes down, often paying for an entire system with a
single down-time event. Impending
carbon tax
and credit systems are expected to further increase the
demand for distributed energy in a very major way. Future solar
installers will
have difficulty sourcing panels if they don't get started now.
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