U.S. Senate votes to extend solar, R&D tax credits; SEIA applauds move - 23 September 2008
Solar module price erosion to cause industry fall-out, says Lux Research - 02 October 2008
Moser Baer raises funds for silicon solar and thin film production expansion - 23 September 2008
U.S. House recesses, fails to pass tax bill, leaving solar, R&D credits in doubt - 29 September 2008
REC sold out of wafers for 2010 with $450 million order from Neo Solar Power - 30 September 2008
Timminco updates solar-grade silicon operations, sees production of 1200-1500 metric tons in 2008 - 06 October 2008
Hague signs letter of intent to buy assets of quantum-dot PV cell company Solterra - 06 October 2008
Ogilvy PR lands SunPower global account - 06 October 2008
Xcel’s North Shore Headquarters Selects Hoku Solar - 06 October 2008
Solar cells use old material in new way - 06 October 2008
A
new study by clean-tech research publisher Clean Edge and Co-op
America, a non-profit green-economy organization, has suggested that
the U.S. could attain production of 10% of its electricity requirements
via solar power by the year 2025. The Utility Solar Assessment (USA)
study provides a roadmap for use by utilities and regulators, as well
as solar power companies, which outlines the necessity for involvement
of utilities in scaling solar power in order to reach the 10% goal.
The study claims that solar power should be viewed as a cost-effective measure of electricity generation that can rival current electricity costs while steering away from the use of fossil fuels that are becoming more and more costly every day. The data in the study were compiled based on interviews with more than 30 solar, utility, financial, and policy experts.
Projections for solar energy prices are expected to decline from an average $5.50-$7.00 peak watt (15-32 cents kWh) today to $3.02-$3.82 peak watt (8-18 cents kWh) in 2015. A further decrease in cost to $1.43-$1.82 peak watt (4-8 cents kWh) is anticipated by 2025, according to the study.
A comprehensive “to-do” list was provided for each of the players (utilities, solar companies, regulators), outlining the steps that need to be taken by each in order to contribute to the combined effort and thereby to achieve the 10% goal by 2025. Further information on the study is available here.
By Síle Mc Mahon
