Comments on: Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet On Infinia’s Sun Engines http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/08/31/will-solar-ever-live-up-to-the-hype-paul-allen-vinod-khosla-bet-on-infinias-engines-of-the-sun/ Business + Technology in the Exponential Economy Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:29:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: John Bailo http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/08/31/will-solar-ever-live-up-to-the-hype-paul-allen-vinod-khosla-bet-on-infinias-engines-of-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-109372 John Bailo Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:30:25 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=39016#comment-109372 I would couple this technology to Hydrogen generation with the Nocera process being developed by Sun Catalytix. That would give 24 hour service without having to be connected to a grid. Sun Catalytix: http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/11/23/sun-catalytix-gets-1m-more-from-polaris-exclusive-license-to-solar-fuel-tech-from-mit/ I would couple this technology to Hydrogen generation with the Nocera process being developed by Sun Catalytix. That would give 24 hour service without having to be connected to a grid.

Sun Catalytix:

http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/11/23/sun-catalytix-gets-1m-more-from-polaris-exclusive-license-to-solar-fuel-tech-from-mit/

]]> By: rich http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/08/31/will-solar-ever-live-up-to-the-hype-paul-allen-vinod-khosla-bet-on-infinias-engines-of-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-95636 rich Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:53:04 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=39016#comment-95636 given the 3Kw lower capacity, I hope they are priced and willing to sell to Homeowners. A system that would connect up in parallel with a backup generator, or into the household breaker box would be a seller. I have looked at 2 other companies and they are only interested in utility scale systems. There are a lot of farms that would probably love this puppy. Mine would. given the 3Kw lower capacity, I hope they are priced and willing to sell to Homeowners. A system that would connect up in parallel with a backup generator, or into the household breaker box would be a seller. I have looked at 2 other companies and they are only interested in utility scale systems. There are a lot of farms that would probably love this puppy. Mine would.

]]> By: Dave Buemi http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/08/31/will-solar-ever-live-up-to-the-hype-paul-allen-vinod-khosla-bet-on-infinias-engines-of-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-84520 Dave Buemi Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:37:08 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=39016#comment-84520 Great article. Solar heat to power using a Stirling engine is a concept that has been around for a long time and has close economics to PV and other technologies. It sounds like Infinia has matured the engine to a point where maintenance of the engine (big O&M cost in the past) is quite low. But I don't understand the statements regarding PV being very low performing with correspondingly bad economics when the CEO states the Infinia system cost $15K for 3kW output system ($5 per Watt). Of course there are many questions about this cost number (is it the sale cost, manufactured cost, installed cost, etc) but ultimately the project financier/system owner is more focused on levelized cost of energy as it relates to Internal Rate of Return (annual yield) If you do a follow up article, it would be good to know what the IRR is for their system and if it has validation from NREL or another similar entity. Great article. Solar heat to power using a Stirling engine is a concept that has been around for a long time and has close economics to PV and other technologies. It sounds like Infinia has matured the engine to a point where maintenance of the engine (big O&M cost in the past) is quite low. But I don’t understand the statements regarding PV being very low performing with correspondingly bad economics when the CEO states the Infinia system cost $15K for 3kW output system ($5 per Watt). Of course there are many questions about this cost number (is it the sale cost, manufactured cost, installed cost, etc) but ultimately the project financier/system owner is more focused on levelized cost of energy as it relates to Internal Rate of Return (annual yield) If you do a follow up article, it would be good to know what the IRR is for their system and if it has validation from NREL or another similar entity.

]]> By: regarding infinia corp... - Tri-Cities - Washington (WA) - Kennewick - Pasco - Richland area - Page 2 - City-Data Forum http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/08/31/will-solar-ever-live-up-to-the-hype-paul-allen-vinod-khosla-bet-on-infinias-engines-of-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-80913 regarding infinia corp... - Tri-Cities - Washington (WA) - Kennewick - Pasco - Richland area - Page 2 - City-Data Forum Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:48:18 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=39016#comment-80913 [...] end of September 2010, and each unit generates 3 kilowatts, and costs about $15,000, Sitton says Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet On Infinia’s Sun Engines | X... So why is he waiting for another one year?!?!? May be the product is not functioning to spec? Or [...] [...] end of September 2010, and each unit generates 3 kilowatts, and costs about $15,000, Sitton says Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet On Infinia’s Sun Engines | X… So why is he waiting for another one year?!?!? May be the product is not functioning to spec? Or [...]

]]> By: Rex Tillerson : Brazil's New Oil Wealth: Three ETFs to Watch http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/08/31/will-solar-ever-live-up-to-the-hype-paul-allen-vinod-khosla-bet-on-infinias-engines-of-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-79656 Rex Tillerson : Brazil's New Oil Wealth: Three ETFs to Watch Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:43:31 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=39016#comment-79656 [...] the mild successes. Solar power technology has improved by leaps and bounds, but it still hasn’t been proven as financially viable, and the U.S. trails badly behind China and Japan in the race to become the [...] [...] the mild successes. Solar power technology has improved by leaps and bounds, but it still hasn’t been proven as financially viable, and the U.S. trails badly behind China and Japan in the race to become the [...]

]]> By: Transcripts : Brazil's New Oil Wealth: Three ETFs to Watch http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/08/31/will-solar-ever-live-up-to-the-hype-paul-allen-vinod-khosla-bet-on-infinias-engines-of-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-79655 Transcripts : Brazil's New Oil Wealth: Three ETFs to Watch Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:40:23 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=39016#comment-79655 [...] the mild successes. Solar power technology has improved by leaps and bounds, but it still hasn’t been proven as financially viable, and the U.S. trails badly behind China and Japan in the race to become the [...] [...] the mild successes. Solar power technology has improved by leaps and bounds, but it still hasn’t been proven as financially viable, and the U.S. trails badly behind China and Japan in the race to become the [...]

]]> By: Green Tip – Moms Use Clothe Diapers | Idaho Solar Installation http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/08/31/will-solar-ever-live-up-to-the-hype-paul-allen-vinod-khosla-bet-on-infinias-engines-of-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-79401 Green Tip – Moms Use Clothe Diapers | Idaho Solar Installation Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:59:52 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=39016#comment-79401 [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet … [...] [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet … [...]

]]> By: Brazil’s Oil Wealth: Three ETFs To Watch | ETF Database http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/08/31/will-solar-ever-live-up-to-the-hype-paul-allen-vinod-khosla-bet-on-infinias-engines-of-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-79378 Brazil’s Oil Wealth: Three ETFs To Watch | ETF Database Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:30:18 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=39016#comment-79378 [...] the mild successes. Solar power technology has improved by leaps and bounds, but it still hasn’t been proven as financially viable, and the U.S. trails badly behind China and Japan in the race to become the [...] [...] the mild successes. Solar power technology has improved by leaps and bounds, but it still hasn’t been proven as financially viable, and the U.S. trails badly behind China and Japan in the race to become the [...]

]]> By: Rise & Shine: September 1, 2009 | Sweet Solar Home http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/08/31/will-solar-ever-live-up-to-the-hype-paul-allen-vinod-khosla-bet-on-infinias-engines-of-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-79085 Rise & Shine: September 1, 2009 | Sweet Solar Home Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:11:39 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=39016#comment-79085 [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet on Infinia’s Sun Engines Sitton, the CEO of Kennewick, WA-based Infinia, showed me a device resembling a satellite dish that has attracted some deep-pocketed investors. Their hope is that Infinia’s dishes will finally turn solar energy into a workhorse for meeting more of the world’s electricity demand [...] [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet on Infinia’s Sun Engines Sitton, the CEO of Kennewick, WA-based Infinia, showed me a device resembling a satellite dish that has attracted some deep-pocketed investors. Their hope is that Infinia’s dishes will finally turn solar energy into a workhorse for meeting more of the world’s electricity demand [...]

]]> By: You Should Know Before You Shop Green | Solar in Indiana http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/08/31/will-solar-ever-live-up-to-the-hype-paul-allen-vinod-khosla-bet-on-infinias-engines-of-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-79061 You Should Know Before You Shop Green | Solar in Indiana Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:35:38 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=39016#comment-79061 [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet … [...] [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet … [...]

]]> By: Helping Kids Care: Ideas For Earth Day and Beyond | Solar in Hawaii http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/08/31/will-solar-ever-live-up-to-the-hype-paul-allen-vinod-khosla-bet-on-infinias-engines-of-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-79041 Helping Kids Care: Ideas For Earth Day and Beyond | Solar in Hawaii Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:17:25 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=39016#comment-79041 [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet … [...] [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet … [...]

]]> By: Environmental Statements | Solar Power in Wisconsin http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/08/31/will-solar-ever-live-up-to-the-hype-paul-allen-vinod-khosla-bet-on-infinias-engines-of-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-79004 Environmental Statements | Solar Power in Wisconsin Tue, 01 Sep 2009 07:22:09 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=39016#comment-79004 [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet … [...] [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet … [...]

]]> By: Water’s Role in Global Warming | Save The Planet - Go Green! http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/08/31/will-solar-ever-live-up-to-the-hype-paul-allen-vinod-khosla-bet-on-infinias-engines-of-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-78994 Water’s Role in Global Warming | Save The Planet - Go Green! Tue, 01 Sep 2009 06:30:00 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=39016#comment-78994 [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet … [...] [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet … [...]

]]> By: Strong Radical Anointed Leadership is Greatly Needed When it Comes to Environmental Improvements | Solar Power In Delaware http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/08/31/will-solar-ever-live-up-to-the-hype-paul-allen-vinod-khosla-bet-on-infinias-engines-of-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-78958 Strong Radical Anointed Leadership is Greatly Needed When it Comes to Environmental Improvements | Solar Power In Delaware Tue, 01 Sep 2009 03:23:02 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=39016#comment-78958 [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet … [...] [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet … [...]

]]> By: Ideas For Earth Day and Beyond: Helping Kids Care For the Earth | Offer Earth http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/08/31/will-solar-ever-live-up-to-the-hype-paul-allen-vinod-khosla-bet-on-infinias-engines-of-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-78934 Ideas For Earth Day and Beyond: Helping Kids Care For the Earth | Offer Earth Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:51:59 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=39016#comment-78934 [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet … [...] [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet … [...]

]]> By: Recycling Helps Prevent Global Warming | Solar Power in Wisconsin http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/08/31/will-solar-ever-live-up-to-the-hype-paul-allen-vinod-khosla-bet-on-infinias-engines-of-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-78917 Recycling Helps Prevent Global Warming | Solar Power in Wisconsin Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:30:16 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=39016#comment-78917 [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet … [...] [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet … [...]

]]> By: Green Shopping Basics - What You Should Know Before You Shop Green | Energy Saving Methods http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/08/31/will-solar-ever-live-up-to-the-hype-paul-allen-vinod-khosla-bet-on-infinias-engines-of-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-78886 Green Shopping Basics - What You Should Know Before You Shop Green | Energy Saving Methods Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:17:04 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=39016#comment-78886 [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet … [...] [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet … [...]

]]> By: Cleanliness Analysis | Theme On Energy http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/08/31/will-solar-ever-live-up-to-the-hype-paul-allen-vinod-khosla-bet-on-infinias-engines-of-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-78831 Cleanliness Analysis | Theme On Energy Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:28:01 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=39016#comment-78831 [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet … [...] [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet … [...]

]]> By: Cleanliness Analysis | Energy Saving Methods http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/08/31/will-solar-ever-live-up-to-the-hype-paul-allen-vinod-khosla-bet-on-infinias-engines-of-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-78819 Cleanliness Analysis | Energy Saving Methods Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:49:25 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=39016#comment-78819 [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet … [...] [...] Will Solar Ever Live Up to the Hype? Paul Allen, Vinod Khosla Bet … [...]

]]> By: Nikesh Parekh http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/08/31/will-solar-ever-live-up-to-the-hype-paul-allen-vinod-khosla-bet-on-infinias-engines-of-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-78808 Nikesh Parekh Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:09:35 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=39016#comment-78808 Nice article Luke. I love the more in-depth articles that Xconomy provides giving a lot more context and background than others. In spaces like cleantech and biotech, I think the story behind the blog headline is critical. Nice article Luke. I love the more in-depth articles that Xconomy provides giving a lot more context and background than others. In spaces like cleantech and biotech, I think the story behind the blog headline is critical.

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