In conjunction with the Solar Power 2005 Conference, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to a briefing that will address ongoing advancements in solar technology and the state and federal policies that are necessary to build a stable infrastructure for the solar industry to expand.  Please join us to hear from the following panel of solar experts:

• Kris Mayes, Commissioner, Arizona Corporation Commission  Presentation

• Kevin Moran, Director, Western Governors’ Association, Washington DC Office  Presentation

• Jane Weissman, Executive Director, Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC); Co-Director, 
  North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)  Presentation

• Lee Smith, Managing Director, National Photovoltaic Construction Partnership (NPCP)

• Ed Smeloff, Senior Manager for Project Development, Sharp Solar  Presentation

• Chris O’Brien, Chair, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)  Presentation

Two different energy markets – central station and distributed generation – can take advantage of it, thus providing consumers with access to this non-polluting, reliable resource both on and off the electricity grid.  Within each of these markets, solar energy can be harnessed through photovoltaics (PV), concentrating solar power (CSP) and solar heating technologies.

However, solar technologies face significant barriers in getting to market.  Several government policies have been proposed to accelerate solar market development, including investment tax credits, renewable portfolio standards, net metering, standardized interconnection, property tax exemptions and time-differentiated rate structures.  Another critical piece in expanding the solar market is the training and certification of solar electric professionals so that solar systems can be installed across the country with consumer confidence in the work performed.  Together, these factors will increase demand and thereby drive down the cost of solar, making it competitive with other sources of electricity production, like burning expensive natural gas.  The continued improvement of photovoltaic materials and system integration to harness sunlight will further reduce the cost of solar power.

The deployment of solar energy brings many benefits, including the creation of high-quality technical jobs, improved air quality, generation of local revenues, increased energy security, and the reduction of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.  Furthermore, every state in the United States can profitably take advantage of this resource for electricity and solar water heating.

Worldwide, the solar industry is growing at a phenomenal rate – over 60 percent last year.   Solar industries are predicted to experience a fourfold growth rate from 1.5 gigawatts of production in 2005 to at least 6 gigawatts in 2010.   

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