Comments on: IBM Releases Cheaper, 40% More Efficient Thin-Film Solar Cell http://inhabitat.com/ibm-releases-cheaper-40-more-efficient-thin-film-solar-cell/ Green design & eco innovation for a better world Sat, 25 May 2013 19:09:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: German Armory Transformed into Stunning Solar School | Inhabitat - Green Design Will Save the World http://inhabitat.com/ibm-releases-cheaper-40-more-efficient-thin-film-solar-cell/comment-page-1/#comment-252969 German Armory Transformed into Stunning Solar School | Inhabitat - Green Design Will Save the World Fri, 27 Aug 2010 05:00:58 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/?p=86474#comment-252969 [...] of the former tank armory to tuck a campus underneath, while the roof was replaced with translucent thin-film solar panels. The vocational school is a excellent example of green architecture that exposes students to [...] [...] of the former tank armory to tuck a campus underneath, while the roof was replaced with translucent thin-film solar panels. The vocational school is a excellent example of green architecture that exposes students to [...]

]]> By: SolarTownSara http://inhabitat.com/ibm-releases-cheaper-40-more-efficient-thin-film-solar-cell/comment-page-1/#comment-246076 SolarTownSara Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:14:50 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/?p=86474#comment-246076 Though it is less than ideal to think of energy consumption as a "choose your poison" decision, the chemicals that go into making solar panels are controlled, and still simply don't compare to the mercury vapor, toxic level of CO2 and ozone, Sulfur dioxide, etc spewed into the atmosphere by coal-fueled power plants. I have yet to hear about an entire population of people developing respiratory problems or any other life-impairing illness due to solar panels. Though it is less than ideal to think of energy consumption as a “choose your poison” decision, the chemicals that go into making solar panels are controlled, and still simply don’t compare to the mercury vapor, toxic level of CO2 and ozone, Sulfur dioxide, etc spewed into the atmosphere by coal-fueled power plants. I have yet to hear about an entire population of people developing respiratory problems or any other life-impairing illness due to solar panels.

]]> By: eldon http://inhabitat.com/ibm-releases-cheaper-40-more-efficient-thin-film-solar-cell/comment-page-1/#comment-219616 eldon Thu, 15 Apr 2010 02:06:03 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/?p=86474#comment-219616 Hydrazine is child's play compared to the other nasty chemicals use in standard silicon manufacture. Hydrazine is child’s play compared to the other nasty chemicals use in standard silicon manufacture.

]]> By: bpg131313 http://inhabitat.com/ibm-releases-cheaper-40-more-efficient-thin-film-solar-cell/comment-page-1/#comment-207885 bpg131313 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 06:30:02 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/?p=86474#comment-207885 Hydrazine is also used with some of our fighters (like the F-16), It's not really friendly stuff, but IBM looks to be using it as a solvent that is removed completely in the manufacturing process. I'm sure they are making sure that this stuff is properly handled. As for the solar panels, I'm looking forward to getting to see them. If they are used to shingle a complete roof, the power generated might be substantial enough to offset the cost in a reasonable amount of time. I guess it's up to IBM to get these things out into the real world for us all to test. I still love my silicon though. Hydrazine is also used with some of our fighters (like the F-16), It’s not really friendly stuff, but IBM looks to be using it as a solvent that is removed completely in the manufacturing process. I’m sure they are making sure that this stuff is properly handled.

As for the solar panels, I’m looking forward to getting to see them. If they are used to shingle a complete roof, the power generated might be substantial enough to offset the cost in a reasonable amount of time. I guess it’s up to IBM to get these things out into the real world for us all to test. I still love my silicon though.

]]> By: WBrooke http://inhabitat.com/ibm-releases-cheaper-40-more-efficient-thin-film-solar-cell/comment-page-1/#comment-207818 WBrooke Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:32:14 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/?p=86474#comment-207818 I thought Hydrazine was a poisonous rocket fuel that they use to power satelite positioning thrusters. I thought Hydrazine was a poisonous rocket fuel that they use to power satelite positioning thrusters.

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