Julius Poston, a progressive builder in the southeastern United States, builds homes that use half the energy of typical ones. His company, Certified Living, has constructed two prototype zero-energy homes with integrated solar panels. If eventually adopted on a wide scale, this groundbreaking concept could eliminate the pollution associated with fossil fuel-generated electricity for households.
Continued strong growth suggests that the solar cell market will play a prominent role in providing renewable, non-polluting sources of energy in both developing and industrial countries. A number of policy measures can help ensure the future growth of solar power. Removing distorting subsidies of fossil fuels would allow solar cells to compete in a more equitable marketplace. Expanding net metering laws to other countries and the parts of the United States that currently do not have them will make owning solar home systems more economical by requiring utilities to purchase excess electricity from residential solar systems. Finally, revolving loan funds and other providers of microcredit are essential to the rapid spread of solar cell technologies in developing nations.
Solar cell manufacturers are beginning to sense the enormous growth in the market that lies ahead. Japan-based Sharp Corporation, already the world's leading producer of solar cells, plans to double its capacity in 2002, going from 94 to 200 megawatts. For the industry as a whole, output is expected to increase at 40-50 percent annually over the next few years, bringing the solar age ever closer.
Bernie Fischlowitz-Roberts
Earth Policy Institute
Contact: Bernie Fischlowitz-Roberts
Earth Policy Institute
1350 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 403
Phone: (202) 496-9290 x 15
Washington, DC 20036 Fax: (202) 496-9325
Web: htttp://www.earth-policy.org
Email: bernie@earth-policy.org
Continued strong growth suggests that the solar cell market will play a prominent role in providing renewable, non-polluting sources of energy in both developing and industrial countries. A number of policy measures can help ensure the future growth of solar power. Removing distorting subsidies of fossil fuels would allow solar cells to compete in a more equitable marketplace. Expanding net metering laws to other countries and the parts of the United States that currently do not have them will make owning solar home systems more economical by requiring utilities to purchase excess electricity from residential solar systems. Finally, revolving loan funds and other providers of microcredit are essential to the rapid spread of solar cell technologies in developing nations.
Solar cell manufacturers are beginning to sense the enormous growth in the market that lies ahead. Japan-based Sharp Corporation, already the world's leading producer of solar cells, plans to double its capacity in 2002, going from 94 to 200 megawatts. For the industry as a whole, output is expected to increase at 40-50 percent annually over the next few years, bringing the solar age ever closer.
Bernie Fischlowitz-Roberts
Earth Policy Institute
Contact: Bernie Fischlowitz-Roberts
Earth Policy Institute
1350 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 403
Phone: (202) 496-9290 x 15
Washington, DC 20036 Fax: (202) 496-9325
Web: htttp://www.earth-policy.org
Email: bernie@earth-policy.org