How thin and efficient can plasma TVs get? Reuters reports that Panasonic will introduce plasma models in April that consume half as much electricity and are about an inch thick.

A 50-inch screen model about an inch in depth that consumes an estimated 260 kilowatt hours of electricity a year is likely to sell for $6,685, and a 54-inch model for $7,846, Reuters reports.

The units will go on sale in Japan first and likely in North America in the summer.

Panasonic has already done wonders in making its plasma TVs more efficient, largely by reducing the thickness of the plasma walls and making other improvements.

Steven Castle - Contributing Writer

Steven Castle is Electronic House's managing editor. he has been writing about consumer electronics, homes and energy efficiency topics for two decades. He is also the co-founder of GreenTech Advocates.