SOLAR GETTING YET CLOSER

UT Report: Solar Growing as Viable US Energy Source

May 1, 2012 (University of Tennessee)

"Solar power is a viable energy source for the nation, and its use is rapidly growing in the U.S. as federal incentives—similar to those that helped other energy markets to develop—are put in place.

"…[Assessment of Incentives and Employment Impacts of Solar Industry Deployment from the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and the Solar Energy Industries Association] outlines a variety of benefits of solar energy…[including its] ability to reduce energy costs by providing much of the nation’s electricity needs during peak usage times…[its] potential to produce hundreds of thousands of jobs; and…[its] tremendous export potential for solar manufacturing and materials."

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"…Annual installed solar capacity has seen steady increases, especially in the past six years. It nearly doubled between 2009 and 2010 and was expected to double again between 2010 and 2011…Long-term annual cumulative growth projections range from about 5 percent to 25 percent…As the use of solar energy increases, the industry will grow as an economic force…

"…Historically, it’s taken about thirty years for energy resources—oil, natural gas, hydropower, coal, etc.—to go from innovation to early adoption to rapid growth, and, finally, to majority adoption, the report notes…The federal government currently provides incentives to every major energy production market…Ideally, the incentives can decrease as the industry matures…Fossil fuels, biofuels, and nuclear power have had significant federal engagement in the production, refining, and transportation steps…Solar energy…won’t need [as] much federal investment…"