Solar's rising demand.

Rising electricity prices and improved technology have boosted demand for solar energy in the last year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy's annual industry assessment.

According to the report by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) demand rose for solar panels and PV (photovoltaic) cells, despite the fact that prices for both also increased due to the cost of materials. "The solar industry has been able to absorb most of the rising material costs because it has become more flexible in its production methods and supply arrangements over the past years," the report says.

Domestic shipments of solar thermal devices rose 10.4 percent to 14.7 million square feet in 2005. Total shipments rose to 16 million square feet, a 13.7 percent increase over 2004. Exports surged 67.4 percent, while imports increased 22.1 percent. Florida and California accounted for 60% of total shipments.

Industry employment increased more than 11 percent in 2005 to its second highest level over the past 10 years.

The shipments of PV cells reached a record high of 134,465 peak kilowatts in 2005, a substantial 72 percent increase from the 2004 record of 78,346 peak kilowatts, and was an increase of more than 176 percent from the 2003 level.   The more efficient thin-film solar system is fast catching up with the older crystalline silicone technology. Thin-film sales now account for nearly one-fourth of the PV market.

Among the market sectors, the commercial sector remained the largest sector for PV shipments, followed by the residential and industrial sectors. (See our recent Oct 18 solar post on Google and Oct 21 on GM.)

Click here to read about the report online at Renewable Energy Access.
Click here to read the full report, 'Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Collector Manufacturing Activities 2005.' Questions about the preparation and content of this report may be directed to Peter Wong (peter.wong@eia.doe.gov).

- David Adams

Comments

[Jay Draiman]

MANDATORY RENEWABLE ENERGY – THE ENERGY EVOLUTION –R4

In order to insure energy and economic independence as well as better economic growth without being blackmailed by foreign countries, our country, the United States of America’s Utilization of Energy sources must change.
"Energy drives our entire economy." We must protect it. "Let's face it, without energy the whole economy and economic society we have set up would come to a halt. So you want to have control over such an important resource that you need for your society and your economy."
Our continued dependence on fossil fuels could and will lead to catastrophic consequences.

The federal, state and local government should implement a mandatory renewable energy installation program for residential and commercial property on new construction and remodeling projects with the use of energy efficient material, mechanical systems, appliances, lighting, etc. The source of energy must by renewable energy such as Solar-Photovoltaic, Geothermal, Wind, Biofuels, etc. including utilizing water from lakes, rivers and oceans to circulate in cooling towers to produce air conditioning and the utilization of proper landscaping to reduce energy consumption.

The implementation of mandatory renewable energy could be done on a gradual scale over the next 10 years. At the end of the 10 year period all construction and energy use in the structures throughout the United States must be 100% powered by renewable energy.

In addition, the governments must impose laws, rules and regulations whereby the utility companies must comply with a fair “NET METERING” (the buying of excess generation from the consumer), including the promotion of research and production of “renewable energy technology” with various long term incentives and grants. The various foundations in existence should be used to contribute to this cause.

A mandatory time table should also be established for the automobile industry to gradually produce an automobile powered by renewable energy. The American automobile industry is surely capable of accomplishing this task.

This is a way to expedite our energy independence and economic growth. (this will also creat a substantial amount of new jobs) It will take maximum effort and a relentless pursuit of the private, commercial and industrial government sectors commitment to renewable energy – energy generation (wind, solar, hydro, biofuels, geothermal, energy storage (fuel cells, advance batteries), energy infrastructure (management, transmission) and energy efficiency (lighting, sensors, automation, conservation) in order to achieve our energy independence.

Jay Draiman
Northridge, CA. 91325
1-7-2007

P.S. I have a very deep belief in America's capabilities. Within the next 10 years we can accomplish our energy independence, if we as a nation truly set our goals to accomplish this.
I happen to believe that we can do it. In another crisis--the one in 1942--President Franklin D. Roosevelt said this country would build 60,000 [50,000] military aircraft. By 1943, production in that program had reached 125,000 aircraft annually. They did it then. We can do it now.
The American people resilience and determination to retain the way of life is unconquerable and we as a nation will succeed in this endeavor of Energy Independence.

Solar energy is the source of all energy on the earth (excepting volcanic geothermal). Wind, wave and fossil fuels all get their energy from the sun. Fossil fuels are only a battery which will eventually run out. The sooner we can exploit all forms of Solar energy (cost effectively or not against dubiously cheap FFs)the better off we will all be. If the battery runs out first, the survivors will all be living like in the 18th century again.

Every new home built should come with a solar package. A 1.5 kW per bedroom is a good rule of thumb. The formula 1.5 X's 5 hrs per day X's 30 days will produce about 225 kWh per bedroom monthly. This peak production period will offset 17 to 24 cents per kWh with a potential of $160 per month or about $60,000 over the 30-year mortgage period for a three-bedroom home. It is economically feasible at the current energy price and the interest portion of the loan is deductible. Why not?

Title 24 has been mandated forcing developers to build energy efficient homes. Their bull-headedness put them in that position and now they see that Title 24 works with little added cost. Solar should also be mandated and if the developer designs a home that solar is impossible to do then they should pay an equivalent mitigation fee allowing others to put solar on in place of their negligence..