Dissertation Defense

Overview of my dissertation!

Time for Solar?

When will solar finally hit prime time? According to Halal (2008), solar is still too expensive with photovoltaic cells costing $3-$4.00 per watt to build; gas and oil is currently at $0.40 per watt. Estimates of total solar costs are (which include usage) to be between $.20-$.40 per kilowatt hour and oil is much lower at $.04-$.12 per kilowatt hour. But nanotechnology can make solar more affordable by creating plastic solar cells at $.20 per watt with an increase in efficiency.

So, when will solar become mainstream? Halal (2008) suggests that the solar costs will become competitive with other energy sources between 2012-2015.

*Halal, W. (2008). Technology's Promise: Knowledge on the Transformation of Business and Society. Palgrave Macmillan, NY.