Beach house with PV

Solar photovoltaic cells let you tap electricity directly from the sun. Today, it is the most elegant solution; apart from one obvious drawback ...

It is costly! and the production's growth has been constrained by a shortage of purified polysilicon. In 2006, half the available quantity has been used by the PV Cell industries.

But times are changing:

PV cells prices will fall 40% within the next three years

• Leading manufacturers have increased dramatically their productions. Notably, China passed the US and become the third largest producer of PV cells, just after Germany and Japan.
• Manufacturers found ways to use polisilicon more efficiently. For instance, thin film cells can be made from amorphous silicon and other low cost materials. they may be extruded like plastic rolls.

As a result Experts believe prices could be driven down by 40% within three years. The solar cells will be competitive with the conventional energy, even without the actual subsidies.

This new evolution will help immensely the development of eco-resorts: most of them are situated in remote areas, far from any utility's grid. The lodges, hotels and camps could be energized wholly from the sun.

The burgeoning of new eco-resorts could then be easely predicted. We could foresee future opening of eco-destinations in castaway sunny places.

Moreover, desalinisation powered by the sun could be installed in deserted beaches, like the "banc d'argent" in Mauritania.

At last this is one optimistic news.