Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Ballard Power -world leader zero-emission PEM fuel cells -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Michael Winkler who wrote (1281)	11/2/1997 3:41:00 PM
From: Zeuspaul	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 5827

Michael, Looks like you are on the right track. Solar cells are still rather expensive. Are there any projections for reduced solar cell costs?

To: Michael Winkler who wrote (1281)	11/2/1997 6:41:00 PM
From: Sid Turtlman	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 5827

Michael: Interesting site. How do your PEM cells differ from Ballard's? Are you licensing some of Ballard's technology, or are there good ways of doing PEM cells that avoid violating any of Ballard's patents? I think your inverter idea is a good one, if the price of automotive fuel cells came down enough. I guess it would also depend on the price of the inverter. Any idea how much they go for? I think they are already produced in a fairly large quantity for boats and RVs, so I would think that they should be fairly cheap, or close to as cheap as they ever will be, now.

To: Michael Winkler who wrote (1281)	11/3/1997 10:44:00 AM
From: Craig Woods	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 5827

There are solar homes that sell electricity back to the grid in this fashion now. With deregulation of the electric industry, one of the big questions is what rate the utilities have to pay for this electricity. I read an article in the EE Times which covered a fully solar powered house, and discussed the fact that "architectural" solar panels (which replace your roof) are about break-even in most areas (depending on the current electrical rates), provided you can sell power to the utilities at "avoided cost" rates, rather than marginal rates (the precise definitions of those costs escape me...) The house was in Vermont, so the system isn't too sensitive to lattiture, or high-density sunlight. So this is obviously a good strategy; if only they could make the roof of a car out of solar cells...:) (all of this solar cell stuff is just a subversive attempt to sell ERC, right Sid ? :) CW