vitamin_j

As Intel Joins the Solar Sector, Is There Room for Everyone?

Mark, you mention how SpectraWatt will be positioned in the solar value chain, in direct competition with JA Solar (and Q-Cells, which I don't think you mention), while serving the "module makers."

Why not go one step further and say that, if SpectraWatt can successfully apply Intel manufacturing advantages, at least some significant benefits will go downstream to those module makers, and, one assumes, to system integrators/installers like Akeena? How fair an assumption do you think that is?

As Intel Joins the Solar Sector, Is There Room for Everyone?

I have a big picture question for Jack and Mark:

Isn't "grid parity" for solar a bit of a paradox, since as companies get closer and closer to achieving it (Suntech's CEO actually threw out a cost/watt, I think around $2, at InterSolar de), global demand will increase on an exponential curve (STP CEO also indicated that China was waiting for this point to really get into solar), keeping prices higher than "grid parity"?

Put another way, will the supply chain, even expanding as it is, be able to absorb an exponential increase in demand? Will it do this smoothly or do you think there will be a series of hiccups (like the 2002-2007 spike) that will swing prices around violently?