How is it going to lower prices? Mining just slows the creation of new bitcoin...the usefulness of it and the short supply is what gives it is market value...I'd imagine it would rise since they'd be more scarce.

Plus, given the exponential rate of computing power, eventually the machines will be better equipped to mine in a more productive manner.

And surely some miner out there has managed to figure out how to slash the overall expense by going solar...