Google Developing New Mirror for Low-cost Solar Power
Posted 09/11/09 at 09:30:41 AM by Pulkit Chandna
Comments
Print
Email
Google has wide-ranging interests and no immediate plans to relent. Faced with the dearth of groundbreaking green technology ideas, the conscientious internet giant has taken it upon itself to break some ground in the green tech industry. It is nice to know that not every company has its sights riveted only on the e-book reader market.
Google is working on new mirror technology that could make solar thermal energy more affordable. Its current efforts are focused on the development of radical materials for the mirrors – both for the reflective surface and the substrate - used in the generation of solar thermal energy.
"In two to three years we could be demonstrating a significant scale pilot system that would generate a lot of power and would be clearly mass manufacturable at a cost that would give us a levelized cost of electricity that would be in the 5 cents or sub 5 cents a kilowatt hour range," Google’s green energy Czar told Reuters Global Climate and Alternative Energy Summit in San Francisco on Wednesday.
The current cost of solar thermal energy ranges between 12-18 cents per kilowatt hour. Besides mirrors, it has plans to develop solar-powered gas turbines, a solution that could further lower the cost of electricity.
Image Credit: AngelaToni
They need to think smaller
Submitted by MRrelabled on Fri, 09/11/2009 - 3:46pm
They need to think smaller scale, something lot of people can afford, maybe an alternative to a gas generator that people use in wind storms or bad weather. Something enough to power a small heater or something. All that needs to be done is to get the mass production wheels spinning, then you can change gears later and talk big investments.
Submitted by fullur on Fri, 09/11/2009 - 1:50pm
No pun intended.
I hope they succeed, but I just don't buy that they will. Also, I have to wonder what their angle is. As has been pointed out before, Google is not a technology company. They are an advertizing company. Every bit of money they make is from some form of advertizing. How are they going to work that into solar energy?
Submitted by BaggerX on Mon, 09/14/2009 - 7:33am
But I think diversification can be a good thing. They are a company with many very smart people with a lot of different interests. If they can find more concrete ways to make money by innovating, then that should be good for the company.
Submitted by Walnut on Fri, 09/11/2009 - 12:30pm
This is why I like Google so much. The bigger they get, the more cool stuff they do. I'm also a fan of the whole "use all our cool stuff for free" approach.
Submitted by hansmompc on Fri, 09/11/2009 - 8:21am
How long until the power corupts them?
never i wager They were
Submitted by nekollx on Fri, 09/11/2009 - 8:24am
never i wager
They were founded on free products, if they got greedy and started charging they would loose a lot of customers so it's a inate check and balance. The most you'll probably see is embeded adds in their projects. maybe built in self powered TV at their solar plants that are near highways?
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
Submitted by robotsneedhugs2 on Fri, 09/11/2009 - 10:37pm
I think it was a joke
Funny, this kind of reminds
Submitted by Tekzel on Fri, 09/11/2009 - 7:46am
Funny, this kind of reminds me of the bit in the movie "Demolition Man" where all restaraunts were Taco Bell. Except, in the future all companies will be Google.
Submitted by nekollx on Fri, 09/11/2009 - 8:14am
All praise be to goggle, our lord and Savior
The book of G
John 4:11
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
Submitted by RatMan on Fri, 09/11/2009 - 7:56am
Google is going to take over the world! LOL
Must Read Articles
Feature
Review
Feature
Feature
Feature
This Month's Issue
FEATURE How to Get FREE Programs, Services, Software & MoreFEATURE Digital Photo Printer RoundupHOW TOBuild a 3D CameraFEATUREDIY Arcade PCWHITE PAPERHow TRIM Works
Technology News
Computer Cooling Fans
Computer Cases
PC Game Controllers
PC Games
Computer Hardware
Headphones
MP3 Players
Stream Video
Computer Mouse
Monitors
Motherboards
NAS Storage
Networking
Laptop Computers
DVD Burner
Digital Cameras
Portable Storage
Computer Accessories
Smartphone
Antivirus Software
Sound Cards
Speakers
Computer Systems
Thumb Drives
Video Cameras
Video Card Reviews
Water Cooling
Gadgets
- Keyboards
© 2009 Future US, Inc. All Rights Reserved.