-=> Quoting Tim Hutzler to Cathy Hettinger <=-
 CH> With the price of solar cells I need to wait until they come down
 > in price or maybe if there is a deal then I'd need that small air
 > conditioner.
 TH> Ya know, from time to time I read of these 'break thorughs' in
 TH> photo-voltaic production technologies. But I don't see the price drop
 TH> all that much. Are cheap PV cells being kept from us, or are they
 TH> being snached up as soon as they pop out of the toaster? 
 
The trouble is that most of the advancements are with amorphous cells,
which are still far less efficient, and shorter lasting than their
silicon counterparts. The silicon cells aren't going to get cheaper
until someone finds a way to grow the crystals, and cut them more
quickly, cheaply, and easily. If we keep investing in present 
technology, we will provide incentive for this, and R+D will be able
to do more for us. Personally, I think that todays PV panels are
a very good value, considering their longevity.
 CH> Tried calling motor home guys but they knew nothing of solar
 > powered A/C for motor homes.
 TH> As I had mentioned, they are no doubt cost prohibitive. After all -
 TH> the idea, here, is saving money, right?
Except in my case... One of my places is on an island with no grid
power, so cost is not as much of an issue as availability and
ruggedness.
 TH> Something I have dreamed of was an 'absorption' cooler for the home.
 TH> This is practically free 'cold,' but the unit would be many times the
 TH> size of that five-ton that's on the roof now.
That would be ideal, but you would have to know how to work with
high-pressure steel and ammonium hydroxide, which is nasty stuff,
if not handled properly. However, as opposed to PV, a reflective
concentrator would be cheap, and then it is only a matter of keeping
it focused on the boiler bulb. Those systems last a very long time.
I just replaced an absorbtion reefer on my island that was still
working after over 40 years (it used too much propane). 
 TH> The summers are hot here - expected to be 105 again today. The house
 TH> is designed to handle the heat with grace. Still, that AC will
 TH> probably be turned on, if the humidity rises. At 25-cents an hour
 TH> running time, how nice it would be to get my cold for free!
Yes, standard AC is horribly expensive. Next time I build a house
It's going to be buried in the ground for heating and cooling
reasons. Take care.
... >>>------->     !!! NO NUKES !!!      <-------<<<
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