Photovoltaics- An Opportunity to Diversify for PWB Fabricators?

摘要

Much is being written these days about the promise of generating electricity directly from sunlight in photovoltaic cells. With more research and development, improved manufacturing and cell efficiency, some studies project grid parity (i.e., electricity cost at par with conventional power plants) in just a few years, promising reduced dependence on foreign oil and potentially energy self-sufficiency in years to come. Dan Feinberg and Happy Holden dedicated their columns in this issue to the growing importance of solar technology, and Ken Gilleo has repeatedly covered this subject (e.g., Energy News Report, June 2007). This raises the question of whether photovoltaics is just a very important general interest topic or if it is also an opportunity for PWB fabricators to leverage their knowhow and diversify.