Why Does Solar Power Cost So Much?

 

The reason why solar power is so expensive is because of the raw material that is used in the manufacturing process. The raw material that is so expensive is silicon, like the stuff they make microchips from. Although silicon is a relatively common material, the process needed to make it pure enough for semiconductors requires a lot of energy.

The factories that can provide this energy can cost millions to operate, which means that there are not that many factories that refine silicon. The limited amount of factories create a limited supply of refined silicon, which increases the cost. Really it's simple economics, supply and demand, less supply plus more demand equals higher cost.

Pacific Island Sets Renewable Energy Record



Pacific's Tokelau in world first solar switch



Tokelau, a small Polynesian territory in the central Pacific, has surpassed the rest of the world in replacing fossil fuels and raised the benchmark of achievement on sustainable development.

Located north of Samoa, the three atolls, home to 1,411 people, will claim a world record when they switch to 150 percent renewable energy - sourced primarily from solar power - next week.

"Our commitment as global citizens is to make a positive contribution towards the mitigation of the impacts of climate change,"Jovilisi Suveinakama, general manager of the National Public Service of the Government of Tokelau, in Apia, Samoa, told IPS.