At the Los Angeles Permaculture meeting this week, I caught up with Ben Clayton of Watts Up  America. 

He told me about their mission to bring solar PV electricity to low-income families, both here in California and in places of need around the world. 

More key points from the PV Summit:

Renewable energy must be integrated into the building process.  It should be part of every new residential, commercial and government building.  Solar PV can be integrated into building materials, so it doesn’t have that kludged, stuck-on look.  When the cost of a solar PV system is amortized into a new home’s 30-year mortgage, the additional cost becomes negligible.

The PV Summit is now history. I don’t know if actual history was made, but it was a thoroughly informative and well-organized conference. Kudos to IntertechPira, the organizers. They produce about 20 conferences a year, each focused on a rapidly-changing high tech industry.

Organizers Anneke Mueller and Laura Limoge snagged a number of luminaries for the PV summit, including Dr. Tom surek of Motech America, Dr. Jean Prosbic of BP Solar, and Paul Maycock of PV Energy. High profile executives from major players like SoloPower and SunEdison were there.

For my money, the most exciting news was the announcement by Richard Lewandowski of Prism Solar regarding their hologram-enabled photovoltaic array. I hadn't heard of this technology before and i was struck by the utter beauty and simplicity of the technology. Each panel has alternating strips of PV cells and transparent holographic plastic. The holograms concentrate a specific light spectrum on the PV cells for increased efficiency, but direct the infrared (heating) parts of the spectrum away from the cell. As a result the PV cells stay cooler and more efficient than regular concentrating PV cells.

A variety of manufacturers and experts at the PV Summit agree; solar electricity will achieve grid parity by 2012 or before.

Grid parity is the point at which photovoltaic electricity is equal to or cheaper than grid power (powered by traditional fuels) without the support of subsidies or tax rebates. This is the holy grail for the solar industry and many agree that it could come even quicker depending on the costs of natural gas.

Note that the projections given today are more aggressive than represented by the Deutsche Bank graphic, which is 2 years old.

A recurring message at the PV Summit

is the extraordinary growth projected for the solar photovoltaic field for the next 10 years.

Because of the need for energy sources that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and have predictable costs over the long term, solar energy is getting the starring role. At least 50% annual growth is projected for world solar PV cell production for at least 10 years. Beyond that, one can only guess, but the German Advisory Council projects that by the year 2100 most of all worldwide energy (70%) will come from solar.

You can see from the map how solar energy (or clear, daylight hours) are distributed across the US. Arizona is in the hot seat!

Paul Maycock, a legendary figure in the solar photovoltaic field, gave the keynote address at the PV Summit 2008 in San Diego.

He dug into the costs of residental PV installations and pointed out that unless the residential rebate programs are extended, solar PV doesn't make financial sense for homeowners. He figured $5 to $7 for peak watt electricity with grid-connected PV.

Maycock estimated that the financial landscape will change in 3 to 4 years, when the cost of PV panels decrease and efficiency increases, not the mention the projected higher costs of traditional power.

2008 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for solar power for a number of reasons: skyrocketing energy costs, more efficient and affordable PV panels, the issue of renewable energy being championed by all three presidential candidates and rising public consciousness.

If you’re considering installing a solar electric system (and even if you’re not), an important first step is to reduce your household electric usage. After all, why pay for the capacity of a costly solar electric panel, when it’s cheaper and easier to eliminate wasteful electricity usage?
To discover the energy hogs in your house, you’ll need the Kill O Watt Meter. This handy device measures the volts, current and watts used by your appliances and electronics.

Manufactured by P3 International, the Kill-O-Watt EZ Electric is sold on Amazon.

You’re in for some major surprises: