Solar Power Cheaper Than Fossil Fuels In 5 Years

Perusing through Grist today, I saw a headline from Bloomberg.com that General Electric sees solar energy becoming cheaper than fossil power in five years. Ever an advocate of "efficient" solar energy, and a resident of the state with the highest electricity rates in the US (18.1 cents/kWh in CT! Three times that of Wyoming's rates of 6.1 cents/kWh), I read more with interest...

It seems that new innovations by GE are boosting the efficiency of thin-film solar panels to a new record high of 12.8 percent. By improving the amount of energy generated by the panels would reduce the cost solar power for many interested in this technology. GE plans to start manufacturing these panels in 2013, alongside other companies that aim to expand the industry.

These solar panels will use thin glass or other material, coated with telluride or copper-indium gallium selenide alloys (PHEW!) instead of silicon-based photovoltaic cells to convert solar energy into useable power more efficiently, bringing down the cost of this technology....hmmm.

In addition GE is introducing the "Nucleus" this year, which will let consumers track household electricity use with their computer and smart phones.

What do you all think? Have any of you heard about this technology or other advancements in solar power?