Black Swan Technology

Life is full of coincidences.  On the way back from dropping my daughter off at school this morning, I heard a piece on NPR on Black Swan technology (see press release linked) which is based on a unique “optical rectification” process that uses a very simple, cost-effective, single element system that extracts energy from the solar spectrum from the infrared through the visible, and has recorded efficiencies of as much as 50%.

A few hours later, I got a call from a gentleman who had seen that I had registered for the Utility Scale Solar show, and wanted my opinion on it.

Immediately, I placed a called to one of my most senior associates in solar technolgies, consulting physicist Bruce Allen, who spends a great deal of life studying stuff like this.  He says that this idea, still obviously in the R&D stage, has potential, but that it’s at least a decade from commerical application.

Of course, that’s only one man’s opinion.  I’m wondering if anyone else would like to share a viewpoint on this fascinating and important topic.