Study Shows Solar Can Provide 10% of US Needs by 2025

A new study released this month has projected that solar power could provide 10% of US electricity generation by the year 2025, with the active participation of electric utilities.

The study, the Utility Solar Assessment (USA) Study, was jointly produced by research firm Clean Edge and the non-profit organization Co-op America.  It also found that solar power is likely to reach cost parity with fossil fuel-based electricity in most of the USA within a decade.

The study, based on interviews with more than 30 solar, utility, financial and policy experts, can be downloaded at www.cleanedge.com and www.solarcatalyst.org.
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Does Nuclear Belong in the Renewable World, Part II

Last month, in connection with an article about skyrocketing cost estimates for nuclear plant construction, we raised the topic of nuclear energy’s place in the world of renewables (as in, does it have one?) and in a low-carbon future.  You sent us a wide range of responses, of which only about 15% stood up for the technology.  Given the focus of Solar Nation, this can’t be called surprising.

It’s worth reiterating here that our emphasis at Solar Nation is on supporting solar power development, not on disparaging other power sources.  There are plenty of groups and web sites who take that latter tack, and we’ll let them do that.  Our complaint only comes when Government policy (and subsidies) favor other sources to the detriment of solar.  With that said, let’s look at your arguments.
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The Mixture As Before

We’ve come to the conclusion that while there’s a lot of talk going on in Congress, the closest it will come, in the immediate future, to bringing us renewable energy is if those magnificent high ceilings designed by Thomas Walter are replaced by hot air capture devices, perhaps linked to a Stirling engine.

Yes, there’s a lot of superheated air rising from the chamber floors these days—not an unusual occurrence in itself, but now it seems to be taking the place of real debate on issues of vital importance to our energy future. When Senate Majority Leader Reid resurrected the Energy and Tax Extenders Act of 2008 (HR6049) for another cloture vote last week we assumed, not unnaturally, that this would lead to some serious back-room bargaining between individuals from House and Senate, so that agreement could be reached before taking up Senate floor time with a nugatory vote.

Silly us. (more…)