How Solar Energy Can Help Meet America’s Growing Energy Needs

The United States has the potential to greatly expand the use of this clean and abundant source of energy, while also creating jobs and strengthening energy security. Demonstrating this potential is Germany, whose policies have allowed it to become the world leader in solar energy production in spite of relatively low solar resources (comparable to Alaska’s).

The following experts discussed current and future technologies, U.S. investments in solar R&D by industry and government, and specific policies that can spur future development and promote the widespread use of solar energy.

OSA is a scientific professional society uniting more than 70,000 professionals from 134 countries, including Nobel Laureates, members of the National Academies of Science and Engineering, and other scientists, engineers, educators, and manufacturers engaged in the science of light, including solar manufacturing and R&D.

EESI is a non-profit organization established in 1984 by a bipartisan, bicameral group of members of Congress to provide timely information on energy and environmental policy issues to policymakers and stakeholders and develop innovative policy solutions that set us on a cleaner, more secure and sustainable energy path.

On July 11, the Optical Society (OSA) and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) hosted a briefing about how solar energy can play a far greater role in meeting energy needs here in the United States and abroad. Solar power is produced through two main technologies: photovoltaic (PV) cells, which convert sunlight directly into electricity, and concentrating solar power (CSP), a utility-scale technology that can be combined with thermal storage to provide electricity even when the sun is not shining.

• There is huge global demand for solar energy, and no technical hurdles exist; however policy uncertainty can adversely affect investor willingness to support the industry.
• The are two main types of solar technologies used to generate electricity: flat panel photovoltaic (PV), which use semiconductor material to convert sunlight into electricity, and concentrating solar power (CSP) and thermal storage, a utility-scale technology that absorbs the sun's heat to power steam turbines that produce electricity. Solar energy can also be used for hot water or building heating and cooling systems.
• The renewed interest in CSP comes from declining US gas well production, but long term federal support is necessary to give the solar industry a strong foundation.
• Historically, the US government has given more financial support to nuclear energy and fossil fuels.
• Failure to renew the federal Investment Tax Credit will lead to a loss of 39,000 jobs and $8 billion in investment, delay all CSP projects, and cause solar manufacturers to move overseas.