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.U.S. firms working to lower cost of solar energy

The Miami Herald -- One piece of the American effort to find a way to make solar energy cheap enough that everyone will want it is unfolding in a modest redbrick building in this Midwestern city once known as one of the nation's top makers of glass.

Xunming Deng, a physicist, started a solar company in Ohio eight years ago as a spinoff from his research at the University of Toledo. He's attracted $40 million in venture capital, and designed and purchased manufacturing equipment. He now thinks that his Xunlight Corp. is on the brink of profitability and fast growth. It expects certification this spring and is getting ready to ramp up production.

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Submitted Mar 14, 2010 By: JOHNNY95206

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vandamme Champion Author New York Posts:1,018 Points:117,800 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:22:49 AM Ignore vandamme Report Abuse ...and someday they will be outlawing them because of the cadmium. But at least people are working on it. 85 cents a watt isn't going to cut it without massive subsidies.
SpaceAce5 Veteran Author South Dakota Posts:300 Points:68,195 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 3:24:38 PM Ignore SpaceAce5 Report Abuse brng the cost down, Yeah! if more commercial buildings would take an example from Fed-Ex and its newer distribution facilities, it would be amazing
ronsimonil All-Star Author Texas Posts:734 Points:157,975 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 9:38:45 AM Ignore ronsimonil Report Abuse the more and cheaper alternatives the better our future.
ljmatney Champion Author Wichita Posts:4,024 Points:565,120 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 9:24:59 AM Ignore ljmatney Report Abuse As with all things, the beginning costs more because of research and small customer base. As solar grows the cost will shrink. Remember paying hundreds of dollars for VCR's? Works the same.
Wizrd03 Champion Author Illinois Posts:5,776 Points:1,166,185 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 9:17:54 AM Ignore Wizrd03 Report Abuse At $40,000 a system, what would probably be needed for a 3000 square foot home, the payback would be around 22 years figuring a $150 a month electric bill at which time the batteries would need to be replaced for $25.000. That's using large lead-acid batteries like the telephone systems use. The "maintenance free" batteries last at most 10 years with today's technology. All this is assuming that you've got sunny days every day and you don;t need to buy any power. And forget about selling excess power, you need that to charge your batteries for when the sun isn't shining. As an electrical engineer, I'd want 2 days worth of caspacity in the battery. To sell power back you would need a solar array about twice what it would take to run the house. It' green but not very cost effective...
mazdaboy Champion Author Portland Posts:5,553 Points:1,636,230 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:48:24 AM Ignore mazdaboy Report Abuse Solar energy need to go a lot lower before it can become main stream.
LeeFree Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:6,824 Points:1,783,000 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:44:03 AM Ignore LeeFree Report Abuse Anything that can diversify the power sources we have available is worth investing in.
playtimeCLE Champion Author Cleveland Posts:5,906 Points:1,092,475 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:36:13 AM Ignore playtimeCLE Report Abuse Holly Toledo, someone is doing something smart in northwestern Ohio! lol... [Edited by: playtimeCLE at 3/14/2010 10:37:12 AM EST]
hauler43 Champion Author Oakland Posts:7,142 Points:2,355,100 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:34:24 AM Ignore hauler43 Report Abuse Solar is the way into the future, but what happens when night falls and we use electricity off the grid? If a majority of homeowners went solar then demand for the panels would go up just like gas prices. Your electrical rates would more than likely go up also cause of less usage and the credit for providing electricity from your solar panels might go away. Remember the Electric Company is around to make money.
goalie1950 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:4,049 Points:830,345 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:30:36 AM Ignore goalie1950 Report Abuse This is a step in the right direction for development of alternative energy sources.
wild3bill Champion Author New York Posts:1,878 Points:1,419,695 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:29:18 AM Ignore wild3bill Report Abuse Computers do computation. Oil companies do not like competition.Do not let Oil Monopolies get control of Solar or wind technology.Oil companies sabotage competition!
greenfog Champion Author Illinois Posts:4,159 Points:1,176,515 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:29:18 AM Ignore greenfog Report Abuse hope this works out for them. if the price is right then we all may have solar houses before long.
lindact Champion Author New Haven Posts:6,487 Points:1,270,410 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:28:34 AM Ignore lindact Report Abuse Sounds like good solid job creation.
VetteFan Champion Author Indiana Posts:7,404 Points:1,567,655 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:26:58 AM Ignore VetteFan Report Abuse That's a good thing.
dopster Champion Author Toledo Posts:4,784 Points:1,825,650 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:25:13 AM Ignore dopster Report Abuse Xunlight Corp. is one of three or four solar panel companies in Northwest Ohio; cutting edge companies replacing traditional manufacturing comapnies that have either gone out of business or moved away. I wish them the best of luck in this new, energy resource field to bring good jobs to Northwest Ohio.
freddyNY Sophomore Author New York Posts:105 Points:46,495 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:23:26 AM Ignore freddyNY Report Abuse Just what we need is a lot of compution in order get things rolling. Just watch out for the other guys.
gasman50 Champion Author Portland Posts:6,505 Points:1,946,595 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:22:49 AM Ignore gasman50 Report Abuse I hope free enterprise is allowed to prosper and not too hindered by too much government
Ltdc Champion Author Long Island Posts:4,908 Points:1,223,540 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:21:50 AM Ignore Ltdc Report Abuse When brilliant minds are at work good things can happen.
arinkrat17 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:4,004 Points:868,070 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:21:06 AM Ignore arinkrat17 Report Abuse what will it cost to us?
puljujarvi Champion Author Tampa Posts:5,174 Points:1,064,660 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:20:00 AM Ignore puljujarvi Report Abuse Sounds like a great business opportunity. I would not be surprised if his company truly does have fast growth and profitability. Makes me wish I could get in on the ground floor.
Asbury09 Champion Author Iowa Posts:4,973 Points:1,070,730 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:19:58 AM Ignore Asbury09 Report Abuse free enterprise leading the way
WonderfulMI Champion Author Michigan Posts:9,024 Points:1,320,880 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:18:40 AM Ignore WonderfulMI Report Abuse Once solar power becomes cheaper per BTU than oil, (and it will!) all the opposition to alternative energy will be hard pressed to defend their position.
nerde Champion Author Florida Posts:3,890 Points:856,650 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:15:29 AM Ignore nerde Report Abuse Exxon/Mobile isn't going to like this. Maybe if they buy the sun?
bills55 Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,207 Points:513,955 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:15:20 AM Ignore bills55 Report Abuse Solar cells on every roof. Do you think the power companys will try to fight that?
Bussman Champion Author Dallas Posts:3,868 Points:992,655 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:14:46 AM Ignore Bussman Report Abuse Keep innovating and bringing the cost down. We will all benefit.
bicycler Champion Author Ontario Posts:12,691 Points:2,207,395 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:13:13 AM Ignore bicycler Report Abuse I wish them the best of luck!
packards42 Champion Author Washington Posts:4,239 Points:717,270 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:11:58 AM Ignore packards42 Report Abuse I hope these guys can get it done, before Asia steal their sales, China is to solar of a global scale. 100's of plants.
Beau2140 Champion Author New York Posts:5,936 Points:1,190,260 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:10:18 AM Ignore Beau2140 Report Abuse With time the cost of new items goes down.
Rick01 Champion Author Utah Posts:6,639 Points:1,909,290 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:10:07 AM Ignore Rick01 Report Abuse Won't be to long before we can all afford to have Solar Cells on our roofs.
rtw777 Champion Author Florida Posts:7,033 Points:1,375,450 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:08:09 AM Ignore rtw777 Report Abuse There has been a steady decrease in price since last year.
hank1326 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:6,696 Points:1,280,490 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:05:29 AM Ignore hank1326 Report Abuse Cost efficiency should be the number one priority before mass production.
2907 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,525 Points:843,590 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:05:00 AM Ignore 2907 Report Abuse US Technology!
WIPACKERFAN Champion Author Chicago Posts:6,485 Points:1,384,810 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:04:11 AM Ignore WIPACKERFAN Report Abuse THis is a good thing.
jmg144 Champion Author Maryland Posts:8,332 Points:2,491,920 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:01:42 AM Ignore jmg144 Report Abuse lots of strat-ups - but which ones will really grow - sounds like a repeat of the Internet start-ups.
mark1962 Champion Author Albany Posts:3,390 Points:801,840 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 7:57:25 AM Ignore mark1962 Report Abuse Great!
spunky4443 Champion Author Washington Posts:4,756 Points:1,215,915 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 7:56:17 AM Ignore spunky4443 Report Abuse Lower the cost, then more People will get on the Band wagon.
fordfan1 Champion Author Indiana Posts:6,731 Points:1,424,115 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 7:55:24 AM Ignore fordfan1 Report Abuse Yes let's make sure that this is done without tax payer expense! We are now and going to be taxed to death!
lpj Champion Author Macon Posts:8,583 Points:1,700,640 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 7:50:59 AM Ignore lpj Report Abuse needs to make it on its on without taxpayers money !!
w4kh Champion Author Riverside Posts:9,311 Points:1,762,175 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 7:50:49 AM Ignore w4kh Report Abuse This story is not just about Xunming Deng, but about several companies headquartered in and near Toledo, that have developed thin-film solar technology and driven the cost per watt from $3/watt down to 84 cents/watt - I want some of that!
USAFA82 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:7,395 Points:1,372,090 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 7:50:26 AM Ignore USAFA82 Report Abuse Sounds like progress. I'd install a solar system if it was cost-effective.
Nicoalbum Champion Author Ottawa Posts:3,581 Points:723,335 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 7:49:52 AM Ignore Nicoalbum Report Abuse Solar enegy is good enough to run a concept car, I've seen one like that back in the middle of 90th. There should me dramatatic improvement over the span of years.
misterray Champion Author Oregon Posts:2,820 Points:656,685 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 7:49:04 AM Ignore misterray Report Abuse Solar panels, even with energy credits, are still too expensive for most households.
jdhelm Champion Author Iowa Posts:4,793 Points:733,610 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 7:48:44 AM Ignore jdhelm Report Abuse lauging about the taxing of solar - I agree somewhat, kinda like putting a taz on wind, after the initial cost the consumer makes, the dang idiots in Washington will try to put a tax on the sun or the wind or - - -
mooneagle Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:7,092 Points:1,293,635 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 7:47:55 AM Ignore mooneagle Report Abuse would be nice if they could do it
Dennis783 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:11,274 Points:2,248,060 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 7:47:44 AM Ignore Dennis783 Report Abuse Lower cost of solar would be good, now its just to high to make it cost effective
SpruceGuse2 Champion Author Michigan Posts:7,442 Points:1,999,705 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 7:47:36 AM Ignore SpruceGuse2 Report Abuse After the solar panel are paid for, it will be free energy with only a maintenance fee.
CharlieC08 Champion Author Colorado Posts:6,384 Points:1,152,250 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 7:43:50 AM Ignore CharlieC08 Report Abuse Solar will be a good alternative until they tax it.
Gassed01 Champion Author Toronto Posts:4,073 Points:1,346,190 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 7:42:28 AM Ignore Gassed01 Report Abuse Hope he's successful.
swlincdrv Veteran Author Lincoln Posts:375 Points:219,115 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 7:41:30 AM Ignore swlincdrv Report Abuse Hope it works.
RetiredVP Veteran Author New Hampshire Posts:389 Points:176,655 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 7:41:13 AM Ignore RetiredVP Report Abuse Wish him luck