Solar Energy and PV Systems

Another article on the Energy Department's website described a project known as the SunShot Initiative; the intention being to make solar energy competitive with other leading forms of energy without subsidy by 2020.  Under the Initiative, the Energy Department recently invested $29,000,000 into four different projects that will reduce the cost of solar energy benefitting both U.S. businesses and families.  Secretary Chu commented "The price of solar panels has fallen dramatically in recent years, but we also need to reduce the cost and time required to actually install them in homes and businesses... Projects like these can help reduce the cost of solar power and make it easier for American families and businesses to access clean, affordable energy."  I think this quote is fantastic because it shows that someone is actively trying to make a public shift from the wasteful, dirty energy we consume en masse today.  The article also discussed plug-and-play photovoltaic (PV) systems, which make buying and installing solar panels much easier.  I personally hope that these PV systems are the first steps in making personal solar panels a commonality across the United States.

Links:

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/daily.cfm/hp_news_id=371

http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/details/beitrag/us-to-invest-up-to-25-million-in-plug-and-play-pv-systems_100006541/#axzz2ErqoHTtj

http://www.granitetransformations.com/blog/1871/the-benefits-of-using-solar-panels-at-home/

http://eddiewilliams2.wordpress.com/