Silicon Valley explores solar technology

SAN JOSE, Calif. – As demand for clean energy rises around the world, the nation’s high-tech hub is looking to squeeze more money out of silicon.

Engineers and entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley are taking advantage of their expertise in computer chips to design and manufacture electricity-generating solar cells that they hope will be increasingly competitive with traditional energy sources such as coal and natural gas. Most solar cells and chips are made from the same raw material from which the valley gets its name.

“We’re in the very early stages of a long build-out in solar technology,” said Erik Straser, who heads the “cleantech” practice at the Menlo Park venture capital firm Mohr Davidow Ventures. “The potential is really enormous.”

Despite technological advances since the first photovoltaic cells were invented 50 years ago, solar is still two to three times more expensive than fossil fuels in the U.S. and relies on government subsidies to compete.

AP