Why Solar Works

By Stephen Lacey, Podcast Editor
November 30, 2009 | 4 Comments

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Nevada, United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] Whether they like it or not, utilities are starting to deploy more solar. Utility support of solar PV and CSP has been one of the most important developments for the industry. In many cases, utilities are supporting solar because the law requires them to. However, a growing group of power providers are openly embracing solar technologies as an important – and reliable – part of their energy mix.

In this podcast, we'll look at the market drivers turning solar from a niche technology with limited applications into a commodity with unlimited technological potential for utilities, businesses and individual consumers.

We'll visit the 10-MW El Dorado thin-film solar PV plant – the largest in North America. Michael Gallagher, Sempra Generation's vice president of assets will show us around the power plant and tell us why the company decided to invest in solar. This is just the beginning: Sempra and First Solar plan to expand the project by 48 MW in 2010.

Then, we'll feature a panel discussion from the Net Impact Conference at Cornell University called “Making Solar Work.” Tim Derrick of Axio Power, Bill Jordan of Jordan Energy and Food Enterprises, Robb Jetty of Recurrent Energy and Robert Petrina of Yingli Solar discuss the many technological and financial factors moving the solar market forward.

Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.

Solar Energy

4 Reader Comments

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1 of 4

SolarSalesGuy

December 8, 2009

Great insights. My only critique is the lack of support for domestic manufacturing. Of course Yingli is going to advocate foreign manufacturing, 100 industry jobs for every 1 manufacturing job etc. But the truth of the matter is, the money follows the manufacturing, and everyone on that panel is aware of that.

Comment
2 of 4

SolarFred

December 14, 2009

Just got a chance to listen to this episode, Stephen. Great perspectives here, especially on utility needs and manufacturer challenges. Thanks for the info.

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3 of 4

StephenLacey

December 15, 2009

Thanks guys -- I'm glad you found the information valuable.

Solar Sales Guy: I think it's a given that a foreign manufacturer is going to claim that. But I do believe that we're going to be able to create a robust industry, even if a lot of the manufacturing is overseas....

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4 of 4

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May 14, 2010

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Stephen Lacey

About: I am a reporter with ClimateProgress.org, a blog published by the Center for American Progress. I am former editor and producer for RenewableEnergyWorld.com, wh... more »