Sunburned Chips

RawSolar’s hot water heating system.

Intel’s big move into solar power the other day appears to be a wise move for the semiconductor giant.

Today, iSuppli reports, “investments in the production of Photovoltaic (PV) cells will rise to the same level as those for semiconductor manufacturing by 2010, due to booming demand for solar energy.”

The research firm believes up to 400 solar production lines will exist by this time worldwide.

One has to believe that the high cost of oil will only further spur this type of development, most likely sucking a great deal of venture capital out of the PC-related high-tech industry. Particularly, with firms like RawSolar popping up and the announcement today that Republican presidential hopeful John McCain said he would create a $300 million for the company capable of creating a better electric car.