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If the process to make this kind of solar cell can be lowered enough through scale then they should communicate this process to Chinese solar companies. I am so

If the process to make this kind of solar cell can be lowered enough through scale then they should communicate this process to Chinese solar companies. I am sorry for my poor understanding of chemical process; if the materials of the solar cell are roughly the same then it would be quite easy for the existing manufacturers to actually switch to this solar cell production. I cannot wait for the era of super cheap electricity!

rini17 9y ago
Switching manufacturing from silicon would not be easy, likely this needs whole new process from scratch. Also, as the article notes, they won't be available in large sheets but only small milimeter chips - which require light concentration and thus sun-tracking mechanism.
wavefunction 9y ago
Why should research funded by American taxpayers be transferred to Chinese solar cell producers, and by whom? I hope an American firm implements the underlying science into a manufacturing process, and any Chinese firms that want to use the process pay a fair and equitable license for the technology.
- zAy0LfpBZLC8mAC 9y ago
  > Why should research funded by American taxpayers be transferred to Chinese solar cell producers, and by whom? Because Americans live in the atmosphere that Chinese CO2 emissions go to? Not saying they should, but that would obviously be the reason?
  - wavefunction 9y ago
    Well, I'm in favor of technological spread across the world, especially when it's beneficial to the environment or society at large. However, Chinese solar cell firms have been dumping cheap and sub-standard solar panels on America for years in an attempt to destroy the American industry, so I am less excited about specifically Chinese solar panel firms gaining access to this technology. I suppose it marks me as a bit of a chauvinist in this case but I would prefer if those who conduct themselves as adversaries do not also enjoy the benefits accorded a friend.
    - eeZah7Ux 9y ago
      > dumping cheap and sub-standard solar panels on America The country receiving the goods can refuse to buy if the quality is poor, or there are safety risks, or the workers are being exploited or the manufacturing process is environmentally unsustainable. Poor countries have little freedom to turn down wealthy customers.

rini17 9y ago

Switching manufacturing from silicon would not be easy, likely this needs whole new process from scratch. Also, as the article notes, they won't be available in large sheets but only small milimeter chips - which require light concentration and thus sun-tracking mechanism.

wavefunction 9y ago

Why should research funded by American taxpayers be transferred to Chinese solar cell producers, and by whom? I hope an American firm implements the underlying science into a manufacturing process, and any Chinese firms that want to use the process pay a fair and equitable license for the technology.

zAy0LfpBZLC8mAC 9y ago
> Why should research funded by American taxpayers be transferred to Chinese solar cell producers, and by whom? Because Americans live in the atmosphere that Chinese CO2 emissions go to? Not saying they should, but that would obviously be the reason?
- wavefunction 9y ago
  Well, I'm in favor of technological spread across the world, especially when it's beneficial to the environment or society at large. However, Chinese solar cell firms have been dumping cheap and sub-standard solar panels on America for years in an attempt to destroy the American industry, so I am less excited about specifically Chinese solar panel firms gaining access to this technology. I suppose it marks me as a bit of a chauvinist in this case but I would prefer if those who conduct themselves as adversaries do not also enjoy the benefits accorded a friend.
  - eeZah7Ux 9y ago
    > dumping cheap and sub-standard solar panels on America The country receiving the goods can refuse to buy if the quality is poor, or there are safety risks, or the workers are being exploited or the manufacturing process is environmentally unsustainable. Poor countries have little freedom to turn down wealthy customers.