Solar electricity, into the mainstream...

Thomas Surek, Ph.D., has been working on solar photovoltaic technology for three decades. the program manager in photovoltaics for the National Renewable Energy Lab told me on September 18, 2006: "This is by far the most exciting time for photovoltaics." Why is that? Because some of the work he and colleagues have done for 33 years is starting to interest elected officials, like the president of the United States. Because California has initiated so many policies and programs to use solar PV on ordinary houses. Because Germany has passed a law requiring utilities to buy solar electricity, providing a huge boost to the manufacturing of panels. Because the photovoltaics industry will break the 2,000 megawatt generating point this year. PV installations are reaching the point of making as much power, worldwide, as about two coal-burning electric power plants. The United States has led the way in some ways, like research, but it can't say it has led in the growth of the solar electricity market in recent years. In 2003, the United States's share in the world PV market fell to 14 percent during a time when shipments of PV equipment from Europe grew dramatically. The U.S. won't be able to say it has led the way to this point, although it has initiated much research. Dr. Surek obtained one of the first National Science Foundation grants for solar energy research in 1973. I spent over an hour talking with him. Some new methods the National Renewable Energy Lab is perfecting with several manufacturers include panels that use semiconductors other than silicon and panels so flexible they look more like rolls of fabric will change life as our children now know it. Not so sound fanciful, since I've been listening to fanciful talk about alternative energy since I was in junior high school. Today, politics and energy could be joining with private enterprise to begin on this. Dr. Surek believes that we are moving closer.