$1 SOLAR

First Solar breaks solar energy’s $1 per watt barrier
Gail Flower, February 26, 2009 (Electronic Design Strategy News)

"First Solar Inc…claimed a milestone in the solar industry toward providing a sustainable and affordable solar energy solution: solar modules manufactured below the $1 per watt point, at a cost of $0.98 per watt…

"…SunPower last May touted full-scale solar cell protototypes at 23.4% efficiency. The company has reported improvements in mass production since its first all-back contact solar cell prototype in 2003. CEO Tom Werner has stated that SunPower’s Gen 2technology in mass production since 2007 is 22% efficient."

From envirodefensefund via YouTube.

"…First Solar began production of modules in 2004 and reached the $0.98 mark in Q4 2008. From 2004 to the present, the company's manufacturing capacity has grown 2,500% to more than 500 megawatts in 2008. Annual production capacity is predicted to double in 2009 to more than 1 gigawatt, the equivalent of an average-size nuclear plant…Through controlling costs while building volume, First Solar’s manufacturing costs have declined by more than two-thirds from the initial $3 per watt to less than $1 per watt.

…First Solar has made approximately 10 million modules for converting sunlight to energy and has a gain on others just entering the field by sheer experience…Mike Ahearn, CEO at First Solar, credited the German government and those of other countries for making the milestone possible…Germany has been a solar energy leader in large part as a response to the federal subsidies the country offers. Many of First Solar’s module installations have been done with government supported projects.

…US government support efforts…are late to offer market assistance, though the recent American Recovery and Reinvestment Act…designates $49.7 billion for energy, including $6.3 billion for renewable energy investments."