From the category archives:

Photovoltaic Cells

The Tellurium Supply Conjecture

by Jack Lifton July 9, 2009

The market fundamentals of the technology metal tellurium are an enigma. There is no general agreement whatsoever on the size of the global supply, the rate of production or the location(s) of that production. Yet, the small but consistent uses of tellurium in steel and copper alloying, as well as in military applications, has now [...]

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DoE Technology Metals Subsidy Program Is Short-Sighted

by Jack Lifton March 22, 2009

The New York Times reported on March 20, 2009, that “The Department of Energy (DoE) has tentatively awarded its first alternative-energy loan guarantee, breaking a four-year logjam in the federal loan program.” What wasn’t reported was that this was one of the most short-sighted – and harmful to the domestic American natural resources industry – [...]

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The Non-Silicon “Solar” Bubble May Be Popping: Reality Finally Catches Up With Thin Film Photovoltaic Solar Cells

by Jack Lifton March 3, 2009

There are two factors, which present obstacles that must be overcome if solar energy conversion is ever to be practical and widespread:

The limitations on the availability and/or production of the natural resources needed to manufacture the best currently known technologies, and
The comparative economics of “solar” energy conversion and all other alternate energy conversion technologies.

It’s official: [...]

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