Renewable Energy Discussion Series: Solar Photovoltaic Technologies

This was third in a series of informal conversations about renewable energy technologies. The series was intended to help Senate staffers better understand the possibilities of different kinds of renewable energy. A small group of energy experts led each interactive discussion, and answered a variety of questions, including:

• How does the technology work?
• Where is it currently used and where can it be deployed?
• How much of our energy could we get from the technology?
• What are the upfront costs and long term benefits?
• How many design, construction, operation, & maintenance jobs are created?

On November 21, 2008, the offices of Senators Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) held an informal discussion exploring the potential of solar photovoltaic technologies. There are many ways to harness the energy of the sun. In 2007 alone, 190 megawatts of photovoltaics were installed at over 12,000 locations throughout the United States. Can this industry continue to grow at almost 50 percent a year? What is the difference between thin-film and silicon? Two nationally recognized experts discussed how these technologies are being deployed, and the impact federal policies have on the industry