Just in time for the Solar Power 2006 conference getting under way in San Jose, SunPower today unveiled its lastest high-efficiency solar panel. The Silicon Valley company, a subsidiary of chipmaker Cypress Semiconductor, says its new panel will produce 315 watts, or about 50 percent more power per square foot than conventional solar panels. That means a typical rooftop solar energy system will use half as many panels in about half the space.
The SPR-315 panels, which go on sale in early-to-mid 2007, use SunPower’s next generation solar cells.
Trade shows exist to produce press releases about the latest and
greatest gizmos, and I could blog about them until I’m blue in the
face. But what strikes me as notable here is the fact that solar
companies have begun to even make product announcements. Long a cottage
industry, the solar business didn’t have a lot of innovation to
trumpet in years past. That’s changing fast, and developing the most
efficient, affordable and eye-pleasing technology will be a big
competitive advantage once companies begin selling solar panels like
designer kitchens.
Green Wombat 
You need some comments, so I’ll kick it off!
Key observation here, which is a nice one, is the new marketing trend among solar businesses that you point out. This shows that interest, demand and future sales will all likely remain strong (well, until the next big ice age in 2020).