From a Colorado State University press release:
New Low Cost Solar Panels Ready for Mass Production
Colorado State University's method for manufacturing low-cost, high-efficiency solar panels is nearing mass production. AVA Solar Inc. will start production by the end of next year on the technology developed by mechanical engineering Professor W.S. Sampath at Colorado State. The new 200-megawatt factory is expected to employ up to 500 people. Based on the average household usage, 200 megawatts will power 40,000 U.S. homes.
Produced at less than $1 per watt, the panels will dramatically reduce the cost of generating solar electricity and could power homes and businesses around the globe with clean energy for roughly the same cost as traditionally generated electricity.
[fair usage snip]
Sampath has developed a continuous, automated manufacturing process for solar panels using glass coating with a cadmium telluride thin film instead of the standard high-cost crystalline silicon. Because the process produces high efficiency devices (ranging from 11% . . .
[fair usage snip]
rest at the URL
The press release says $2/watt at the comsumer level. If the cells can be used for CPV (concentrated photovoltaic solar), the price per watt for central station solar power plants could be reduced by quite a bit.
I know nothing in particular about lifespan of the cells, or any resource issues with cadmium telluride.Anyone who knows more about the manufacturing or engineering side of this is very definitely invited to comment.
While this isn't necessarily a silver bullet, it might make a pretty good "silver BB" if this pans out.
I think this is worth keeping an eye on.