AIDG Blog [Appropriate Technology, Development, Environment]

“The Power of the Sun” consists of two films on a single DVD: “The
Power of the Sun-The Science of the Silicon Solar Cell” (S), is a 20-minute animated educational film for 12th grade High School students, or freshman College/University students with interests in physics and/or chemistry, materials science, engineering. (The
silicon solar cell is currently the most important generator of solar electricity).

“The Power of the Sun” (G) is a 56-minute film, telling the story of photovoltaics -Light; History and Science; Implementation; and Future. It is designed for general public with interest in science, its history and its current and future applications to the world’s energy
needs, as well as for policy-makers and opinion leaders in the field of energy. It is also highly recommended for students who are using the 20-minute science film (S), to provide them with a broad perspective.

A second video I found on youtube (unfortunately it’s in Italian, but you get the general idea.):

The Power of the Sun featuring John Cleese

via the Practical Environmentalist

Update: This vid mentions that when solar hits the $1/$1.50 per watt range, it will be really competitive with most other forms of energy generation. Ecogeek just reported that the cost of solar in expected to plummet in the next few years.

Based on [research from the Prometheus Institute], Travis Bradford, president of the Institute, says that prices for traditional silicon-based panels should fall from $3.66 per watt (2007 figures) to $2.14 per watt in 2010, and more impressively, thin-film PV should go to $1.81 per watt from $2.96. When coal, currently the least expensive source of power, is around $2.10 per watt to generate*, the expected drop in price for solar will make it far more competitive.
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The reason for the drop in prices is due to the expected hike in silicon production, a shortage of which is currently being felt. It is expected that silicon availability will quadruple to 125,302 tons by 2012, providing a massive oversupply of the material to the industry. Thin-film manufacturers who use no silicon will not be affected by this overabundance, however they will have to compete with the dropping prices of conventional panels, hence the drop in price.

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