The problem with solar power is that the conversion rate from light rays into electricity isn't high enough to make it economical on a mass-market basis. That could change, though, with Sharp's latest solar power processor. The Japanese giant -- which is by far the world's biggest solar manufacturer -- has come up with a chip that has a 35 per cent conversion ratio. That's way above what we've seen up to now.
I asked Sharp's Adrian Taylor (pictured below) at CES how long it would be until solar power was a mainstream option for ordinary people. Taylor also explained why cloudy conditions are often better for solar power than sunny conditions, and how Germany is actually the number one market for solar power in the world.
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