http://www.greenlivingonline.com/Energy/not-your-parents-solar-panels/
I really like this product and would like to see if it is ready for production.
http://www.greenlivingonline.com/Energy/not-your-parents-solar-panels/
I really like this product and would like to see if it is ready for production.
Solar lights advertised in flyers dropped off at houses.
Tire Companies sell in addition to other stock.
Check out this site.
I am slightly confused by the site reference in your question as this refers to a Canadian commercial site that is not specifically a product,
however to try to answer your question:
Solar energy systems have been in use now for at least thirty years and there are many millions in use throughout the world, including passive and active systems. Active systems include photo volcaic and when I looked at several of these systems aroun 10 years ago they were all very costly with a very long payback period but they are becoming more affordable. There are many manufacturers that often using some form of silicon wafer.
Passive methods: The four methods for domestic construction in the northern hemisphere that make use of greenhouse effect are:
South facing windows (large windows on south, small or none on north side) other elevations as appropriate with solar shading or solar glazing and thermal insulation.
South facing roof space: usually pitched roof used as a solar collector. May need small fan and duct to circulate hot air.
Conservatory: South side glazed volume.
Trombe wall. South glazed wall with heavy masonry or concrete wall painted black.
And for larger buildings one might use a climate wall i.e. glazed external wall with significant air space between external and internal wall (internal wall can be fully or partially glazed or incorporate thermal mass for storage of heat)
Active methods also include panels or solar collectors with water pumped to storage or direct use. Thermosiphon systems, where the storage tank is placed above the collector, do not need a pump and are therefore regarded as a passive system. Solar water heating of this type is of course widely used throughout the mediterranean countries and middle east.
Well, Nanosolar has had panels in production for a couple years now, and they are still not for sale to the general public. I think they only make a few megawatts worth every year.
It took silicon PV 30 years to go from just a few MW/year to 3.6 GW/year (as of 2007). (Understand that’s still a drop in the bucket – coal generates almost 600 GW in the US alone) It is likely to take a decade or more before this technology becomes widely available.
It’s advancing more rapidly. Now Bush has come out of the woodwork and given more companies incentive to go solar (now that his popularity level is at an all-time low.) I know that Germany produces more solar power than any other country in the world and they receive less annual sunlight than they do in Seattle. Spain is also investing heavily in solar energy. They’re building a large heliostat outside of Madrid. In Australia, the world’s largest solar power plant is just getting underway. The solar tower will be twice the height of The Empire State Building.