PV ADVANCES, DROPPING COSTS

Advances in photovoltaics could make solar cost competitive
Michelle Andrews, June 18, 2009 (Los Angeles Examiner)

"Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) is poised to change the face of construction, energy and urban planning in the coming decade.

"The Department of Energy has estimated that BIPV technology could potentially generate 50% of the electrical needs of the U.S. and other developed countries, and the DOE’s Solar America Initiative has set the goal of making solar cost-competitive with grid electricity by 2015."

A stunning use of BIPV. (click to enlarge)

"In this continuing effort…[DOE] just announced the selection of 24 new solar projects to advance photovoltaic technology research, development, and design, ultimately lowering the cost of photovoltaic generation. The competitively-selected projects will be eligible for up to $22 million from the President’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and will be matched by more than $50 million in cost shared funding from private partners.

"Many of the projects selected focus on improving the effectiveness of the materials used to capture the sun’s rays."