OK dumb question 1.

If there is such a demand for solar panels and the will be increased demand in the future, why aren't more manufacturers getting into the game?

Dumb questions 2.

What would be the optimal manufacturing envirnment for starting a new shop to build these things? Lots of clean water etc? Lots of start up cash? Lots of brain-power?

How would a dummy like me get started building these in sunny Colorado?

Cheers,
SJVISTA

There are lots of big name companys

BP, Sharp, Kyocera, Sanyo, Shell, Photowatt just to name a few. There are also lots of new names getting into the game.



There is ample monies being invested in the manufacturing end, the constraints are all on the feedstock and that requires investments in the billons ... hence the few companys doing this are going to make damn sure they get a good return on there investment



Make a busness plan, do an IPO and raise 2-4 billon (Hey if google can do it ) and hire lots of phd's, build all new factories and then be Jonny came lately to the party as about 10 multinationals are way ahead of you

Personally, for return on investment, wind power is looking much better on the utility scale and where the big bucks will go in the next decade. For the US, Coal will be our next "fix" , I don't see solar being wide scale ( greater than 1% in the US ) in my life time. For other parts of the world it will be a much bigger player as many countrys have no large deposits of oil/coal ect. Spain is a good example and there will be many others to follow.

Vestas is a european company that is having China manufacture 100+ meter blades for their 4-5megawatt turbines (tho they appear to be having trouble making money there are other wind companies)
I am not allowed a wind turbine because if it fell down it would not stay on my property etc etc.
(sustainablebusiness.com for more info or http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/as ... iness.html

FPL, (Florida Power & Light) is doing stuff with wind

Make a busness plan, do an IPO and raise 2-4 billon (Hey if google can do it Rolling Eyes Rolling Eyes ) and hire lots of phd's, build all new factories.

This is the plan I will pursue. I'oll let you know when I'm ready to hire.

What would be a good catchy name?