Lot of revolutions happening these days, aren’t there? No sooner is Britain’s “wind power revolution” out in the open, than the excitement begins over the new solar “revolution”. This latest proposed scheme – to create ultra-thin, cheap solar power cells – is certainly an exciting development, if it works. Which is a big “if”, given that most if not all of the hype seems to have come from the company that makes the stuff. Given this, the Guardian’s optimism today seems rather less cautious than perhaps it should be. But then good news is good for business.

Here are my thoughts, as posted on comment is free:

Let’s not all wet our pants with excitement just yet. John Vidal’s article about this gets most of its information from the company itself, but states that they are “notoriously secretive and has not answered questions about its panels’ efficiency or their durability”. None of the other sources actually seem to have ratified the technology, so all the information is based on what the company themselves have said. And the word “revolution” in the title comes from Jeremy Leggett, who “said that it would be “breathtaking” if the technology proved as efficient as projected by the company.” IF.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/dec/29/solarpower.renewableenergy

I want this technology to work as much as anyone, but throwing up your hands and crying “hallelujah” at the first glimpse of something like this is more than a little foolish. Apart from anything else, we are still devising ever-more ingenious ways of extracting whatever fossil fuels from the ground - not for fun, but so they can be burnt. We are still expanding our airports (in anticipation of solar-powered jet engines? I think not). Unless we immediately put harsh restrictions on our carbon output in line with the science, what will technologies like this achieve, except adding a bit of green technology to an energy mix that makes runaway climate change inevitable?

In short, don’t believe the hype. We don’t know whether this works. And even if it does, technology alone cannot, will not solve this.