Interesting idea

[kchriste]

These paranoid conspiracy theories

I don't see how a company seeking a monopoly is a conspiracy theory. More like the natural progression of the capitalist system.

so it's hardly 'the final nail in the coffin'

For a cost effective supply it is. The more competition the better, but that is not what is happening. IMHO.

 

[Sceadwian]

Competition and supply and demand aren't as simple as all that. There are plenty of other driving reasons behind the solar cells non-general acceptance as a mass power supply aside from large oil companies wish to reduce it to nothing.. Perhaps the fact that they're not generally a good source of mass generated power, too complex over all in system size and general upkeep. You can get better power efficiency with less complexity using oil and fossil fuels. If all the environmental nuts are REALLY right then... Guess what, oil and other fossil fuels are going to become so expensive that solar cells will become more economically feasible on a large scale, and the people that own all the stock (the oil companies) are going to be in the best possible position to leverage that new resource. Be glad they're buying it up THEY got the cash, if they have the technology in their hands when the oil wells run dry and coal mines are bringing back dust, we're in VERY good hands...