Lets just assume for a minute that their could really be a commercial fuel cell company servicing metropolitan US could solar still compete? considering fuel cells are 11x more productive than solar and operate 24/7. Also keeping in mind the value proposition for fuel cells with incentives for a 5kW system show the pay back to the consumer is 3 years with a fuel cell and 12 with solar assuming you have a roof large enough?. Where lies the value proposition.

Ok all you sleeping solar giants make and argument I challenge you!

Brett Vinsant
Founder ClearEdge Power

Where do you get the hydrogen?

Where do you get the sun for the remaining 18 hours of the day

So that we understand your underlying assumptions, how will the hydrogen be produced, stored, distributed, and the fuel cells renewed?

{pro-wrestler voice} BRETT!!! -- Bring it on!!! {regular voice}

Let's talk about capital investment for the two systems. I can install a CSP-DG system on my own roof in the 500kW range for $3/Watt. That system will run for the next 40 years with little more than a topping of working fluid and lube oil once a decade or so. The generator will probably enjoy new bearings after 20 years.

Any fuel cell that I've ever heard of will suffer anode/cathode deterioration in 2-5 years unless run on *very pure* reactants. The solar inverter will throw the hockey-pucks after 10 years or so, and then there is the perpetual and ongoing cost of the fuel.

Let's even the playing field by *ignoring* incentives. My 40 year locked in price to the consumer of the electricity is ~$0.039/kWh. Whaddya got that can hang with that? {oops -- wrestler voice off -- sorry} ^_^

The Light is Green!