Light Bulbs

ZDNet has a fantastic article about the bright, albeit expensive future of Solar Energy in the US.  The article highlights a new 8,200-square-foot Solar facility in Phoenix, from which it will run its SolarLease program. Adding Solar Power to the existing energy grid not only will provide backup relief from our already taxed coal, natural gas, and nuclear sources but most importantly is 100% renewable (no shortage of sunshine in the Arizona desert).

The article also mentioned that a recent report from research firm Clean Edge and the non-profit green business organization Co-op America is predicting that the solar industry could generate up to 10 percent of U.S. electricity by 2025.  In order to make this a cost effective alternative, cost advancements need to continue, technology must mature and government support in the form tax credits and other creative subsidies must transpire.

 Findings of the article

- The investment required to hit the 10 percent mark will not be insignificant: The study pegs it at $450 billion to $560 billion between now and 2025 (an average of $26 billion to $33 billion annually). Given that utilities spent $70 billion on power plants, transmission systems and distribution technology last year, this investment doesn’t seem insurmountable.

- Utilities leading solar energy investment include Southern California Edison, Duke Energy and Pacific Gas & Electric.

The article does shed some Light on the issue