Comments on: Solar Energy Can Provide 4.2% of U.S. Power by 2020

By: domestic solar electricity

domestic solar electricity — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 03:28:00 +0000

Only 4.2% in next 10 years. Sounds pretty low with all the money being spent on solar energy. Although its good to see the improvement in its usage, we still need to make better and smarter use of this source of energy that nature has given to us for free.

By: International Solar PV Nearly Doubled, PV Growth Doubled in 2010 – CleanTechnica: Cleantech innovation news and views

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 13:56:01 +0000

[…] Related Story: Solar Energy Can Provide 4.2% of U.S. Power by 2020 […]

By: dcarp

dcarp — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 15:09:07 +0000

Our future energy needs will be met by a combination of sources, and solar will figure prominantly in the mix. However, until the cost is actually competitive with traditional sources (here in the midwest, coal fired plants rule), not many homeowners will use it. I ran a cost analysis the other day which showed a payback period of 25 years (including rebates) – the expected life of the system! How many more years will we have to wait for affordable technology?

By: Joseph M. Dukert, Ph.D.

Joseph M. Dukert, Ph.D. — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 16:08:43 +0000

When will energy writers learn the difference between “generating capacity” and “electricity output”? Even if solar generating capacity should reach the level suggested, the production of electricity from such installations would be a minor fraction of total national output — a welcome, but decidely modest contribution to U.S. requirements.

By: remodeling

remodeling — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 01:26:16 +0000

I see a slow down in government projects as well, with the Republicans taking back the house and definite budget cuts on the horizon, the only expansion your going to see is in the private sector.

By: Bill Woods

Bill Woods — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 21:29:19 +0000

“[T]he Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) is also predicting significant, continuous growth over the next several years. It is the fastest-growing energy industry in the U.S. and there is no reason to believe that growth would slow down.”

This opinion is not universally shared:
‘“I think we’re going to see a burst of projects over the next two months and then you’re going to hear the sounds of silence for quite a while,” said David Crane, chief executive of NRG Energy, …’
‘“Good projects will still move forward, but just not as many,” said [BrightSource CEO John] Woolard.’
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/29/business/energy-environment/29solar.html?ref=business&pagewanted=all

By: Christf

Christf — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 18:06:26 +0000

“Due to the long-term vision of some of our country’s leaders, government incentives are helping solar to grow at a great pace” –> gotta wonder about how weakened this “long-term” vision is going to be with the classic short-term Tea Party folks poised to make big gains in Congress.