Any time you read a product is 5 years off, it's almost certianly vapor-ware. The 5 year time frame means "we have an idea that we think some VCs would like to fund." 5 years is the perpetual holy grail for unreleased product. I'll believe it when someone ships prototype product or manufacturing has ramped up. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

But, you are right... they had a pretty spiffy breakthrough. What worries me is the fact that lead plays a part and nano-size makes it even more of a potential poison. Anyway, they need to solve some issues and make it a practicle product. What's amazing is that it's 30% efficient. That's a rather astounding figure.

I think the next 5 years will truly bring miracles in solar technology. Gas prices going up means it only comes faster as the barriers to economical manufacturing come crashing down with inflationary energy costs.

New plastics, ability to use less perfect (and thus less expensive) silicon, and new nano and bio technology as well as direct conversion to hydrogen and other ideas are going to start becoming reality. Efficiency has gone up dramatically in the lab with tech that can use much more of the spectrum. I can't wait to carry around my own portable power supply that operates green and free (other than initial cost). Let's hope I'm wrong about that 5 years. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />