Green Flops: Why Some Promising Cleantech Ideas Didn’t Work Out

The video discusses the challenges faced by innovative companies like Solyndra and those in the biofuel industry. Solyndra's attempt to innovate in the solar market was thwarted by falling polysilicon prices, making their product uncompetitive. Similarly, biofuel companies struggled with high production costs despite achieving their technological goals. The video also covers the high costs associated with solar power towers, which, despite their functionality, remain economically unviable.

What was the main reason Solyndra's solar cells became non-competitive?

• The rise in polysilicon prices

• The increase in demand for solar energy

• The lack of interest in solar technology

• The decrease in polysilicon prices

What was the primary goal of biofuel companies?

• To develop a fuel identical to gasoline

• To produce a fuel that is chemically different from gasoline

• To reduce the cost of gasoline production

• To create a new type of engine

Why did biofuel companies struggle despite achieving their technical goals?

• Insufficient government support

• Lack of consumer interest

• Environmental concerns

• High production costs

What is a significant challenge faced by solar power towers?

• They do not produce enough electricity

• They require rare materials

• They are not environmentally friendly

• They are too expensive to build

Which company built a large solar power tower in California?

• Bloomberg

• Solyndra

• QR

• Bechtel