GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010 by Alex Winn

THE SOLAR REPORT THE GW SOLAR INSTITUTE

2009-2010 ANNUAL REPORT

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

THE SOLAR REPORT THE GW SOLAR INSTITUTE

2009-2010 ANNUAL REPORT October 2010 The George Washington University Solar Institute 609 22nd Street, NW, Suite 301 Washington, DC 20052 http://solar.gwu.edu

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................................... 6 MAKING AN IMPACT IN WASHINGTON AND THE STATES ..................................................................... 8 Advising the U.S. Department of Energy and Other Executive Branch Agencies ............................................ 8 DOE Grand Challenge for $1/Watt Electricity from Solar Energy................................................................. 8 DOE Solar Vision .................................................................................................................................... 9 Energy Information Administration ........................................................................................................ 10

...................................................................................................... 11 Energy (ARPA-E) ................................................................ 11 Office of Science and Technology Policy .................................................................................................. 12 Assisting the U.S. Congress ....................................................................................................................... 12 Assisting State Officials ............................................................................................................................. 13 RESEARCHING AND ANALYZING CRITICAL ISSUES .............................................................................. 14 Research by the Institute and its Faculty Partners ...................................................................................... 14 Analyzing the Cost and Performance of Photovoltaic Technologies............................................................ 14 Defining the Impact of Tellurium Supply on Cadmium Telluride Photovoltaics .......................................... 14 Researching Improved Processes for Hydrogen Conversion ...................................................................... 16 Evaluating the Solar Energy Potential of the Department of Defense .......................................................... 17 Improving the Assessment of the Air Emissions Reduction Benefits of Solar Energy .................................... 17 Revaluating the Economics of Photovoltaics............................................................................................. 18 Analyzing Current Economic Models for Solar Electric Generation............................................................ 19 Researching Key Legal Issues to Support Solar Expansion ......................................................................... 19 Assessing the Design, Adoption, and Impact of State Solar Financial Incentives .......................................... 20 Modeling the Solar Grand Plan to Facilitate Deployment .......................................................................... 20 Assessing Policies to Expand Investment in and Use of Solar Power in the U.S. ........................................... 22 Student Research ...................................................................................................................................... 23 Analyzing the Endangered Species Act and Utility-Scale Solar Development in the Southwest ...................... 23 Researching Solar Real Estate Investment Trusts ...................................................................................... 23 Researching Restrictive Covenants .......................................................................................................... 24 RAISING AWARENESS ............................................................................................................................... 26 Educating the Next Generation of Solar Leaders ........................................................................................ 26 Hosting the Second Annual Symposium .................................................................................................... 26 Educating Stakeholders Through the News Media, Presentations, and Other Outreach ............................... 30 News Media .......................................................................................................................................... 30 Presentations and Other Outreach .......................................................................................................... 31 Internet and Social Media ....................................................................................................................... 32 MOVING FORWARD .................................................................................................................................. 35 APPENDICES .............................................................................................................................................. 36 5

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

OVERVIEW In its second year, the GW Solar Institute expanded its

of Science and Technology Policy and the Congress

multi-faceted work in addressing the major technical,

also sought technical assistance from the Institute and

economic, legal and policy challenges associated with

its researchers.

the deployment of solar energy. We substantially increased our assistance to Federal agencies,

findings in a broad range of disciplines, ranging from

particularly the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE),

science and technology to economics, law, and policy.

completed and published significant research work,

To cite just a few examples:

broadened our research work with students, and intensified our public outreach and education.

Research published in the May 7, 2010 issue of Science Magazine analyzed how potential reductions in the thickness of the cadmium telluride (CdTe) layer in CdTe cells and enhanced

distinguished group of 100 experts from academia,

tellurium recovery could substantially boost

national laboratories, industry and government to

projected energy production from thin film CdTe

participate in an August 2010 workshop focused on a

solar cells. These research results are very

grand challenge for $1/Watt electricity from solar

significant in setting forth key elements of a path

energy. Representatives of several DOE offices also

to maintain international market share for this important U.S. solar technology.

during the past year, including the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the Office of Basic Energy Sciences, the Energy Information Administration, and the Advanced Research Projects Agency

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

outreach efforts also reached an expanded audience. computer code and revealed that the solar energy cost estimates contained in the critical energy

over the Internet for the first time. In addition, the

model used by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) are not up-to-date. The

significant traction when the Institute won support for

Institute has provided extensive information to the

its syndication at RenewableEnergyWorld.com, one of

EIA and engaged in an in-depth dialogue to

the largest websites devoted to renewable energy news

address these deficiencies.

and information.

A law review article published in the inaugural edition of the GW Journal of Energy and Environmental Law reveals that the methodology that has been used by most states for compiling state inventories of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has generally been misapplied so as to substantially understate the GHG emission reduction benefits of solar photovoltaics (PV) and four other energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in most regions of the country.

Figure 1. Pictured above: (left) Ken Zweibel, Institute Director, speaking at EmTech09, an annual conference hosted by Technology Review, a publication of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; (right) Debra Jacobson, Institute Co-

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

The goal of the workshop was to assist DOE in determining whether the proposed grand challenge

MAKING AN IMPACT IN WASHINGTON AND THE STATES

should be undertaken, and if so, how the program

energy system equivalent to 5-6 cents per kilowatthour (kWh) would be fully competitive with electric generating systems using fossil fuels without

ADVISING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND OTHER EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCIES

additional subsidies in most parts of the country

During the past year, the Solar Institute substantially expanded its work in providing advice and assistance

greenhouse gas reduction and clean energy

to Federal agencies, particularly the U.S. Department

transformation.

of Energy (DOE). Our efforts increased with the

The workshop focused on an initial target program that would demonstrate pilot installation of fully

Energy, and they expanded to include the Office of

installed systems by 2017. The workshop participants

Science, the Advanced Research Projects Agency

also focused on a white paper drafted by EERE and

Energy, and the Energy Information Administration.

ARPA-E that discussed the following paths to

Since DOE is the lead Federal Department on solar

solutions:

energy technology and policy, this expanded role is very significant.

Module innovations that will permit achieving ~50 ¢/W and 20%+ efficient modules with a focus on manufacturing strategies and improved efficiency in

DOE Grand Challenge for $1/Watt Electricity from Solar Energy The Secretary of Energy, Stephen Chu, invited the August 2010 focused on a grand challenge for $1/Watt (W) electricity from solar PV. He was selected among

multiple technologies; Innovations in installation and non-module

aspects that will permit low-cost (~40 ¢/W), highly automated or simplified systems that can be readily deployed over large areas; and Power electronics innovations that create modular

a distinguished group of about 100 experts from

inverters or centralized inverters at a significantly

academia, National/Federal laboratories, industry, and

reduced cost (~10 ¢/W) using novel materials and

government to participate in the event. The workshop

circuit architectures. Secretary Chu began the workshop with an address

Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and the

about the science supporting global climate change,

Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy

the need for rapid adoption of clean energy solutions,

(ARPA-E). 8

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

the results of the workshop and how it might shape our thinking and the programs that we may develop around it. As a leader E-mail from Mihn Le, Chief Engineer, Solar Energy Technologies Program, U.S. Department of Energy, to Ken Zweibel, Institute Director - July 7, 2010 and the need to accelerate PV deployment. Assistant

circulated for public review in May 2010 emphasized

Secretary Cathy Zoi added her voice in support of

that the vast expansion in deployment needed to

these goals and stated that the Administration would

support the 20% solar goal in 2030 is achievable

seek significant, multi-year support for the $1/W

without PV technology breakthroughs but that

initiative. The workshop resulted in a positive outcome in terms of program balance, direction, and

development (R&D) investments will be essential to

aggressiveness to meet the stated $1/W installed system goal. research was critical in analyzing two major cost

DOE Solar Vision

issues: (1) current costs and prices of PV module

In late 2009 and 2010, the Institute continued to play a provides an in-depth assessment of the

technologies at the system level (See Figure 2); and (2) the non-module costs of PV systems (so-called balance of system or BOS costs, such as installation

potential for solar energy technologies to meet a significant share of electricity demand in the United States by 2030, and its findings and recommendations are expected to inform key decisions by policymakers. The study has explored two scenarios for solar deployment by 2030: one in which solar electricity provides 10% of total demand and another in which solar electricity provides 20% of total demand.

served on the Steering Committee for the entire study and led the drafting of a key chapter on PV technologies, cost, Figure 2. Best-PV-System Prices (Using Representative PV-Module Prices) for Residential, and performance. The draft chapter Commercial, and Utility-Scale Markets for Several Technologies (from the draft DOE Solar Vision Study, based on GW Solar Institute research) 9

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

labor, trackers, and permitting and regulatory costs)

Energy Information Administration

shown as a function of module efficiency for several different PV technologies. These technologies

In the course of researching the National Energy

included: cadmium telluride thin film (CdTe),

Modeling System (NEMS) last year, researchers from

amorphous silicon (a-Si), copper indium gallium

the GW Economics Department had found that some

(di)selenide thin film (CIGS), multicrystalline silicon

of the primary technological and cost assumptions

(multi-Si), and monocrystalline silicon

underlying its solar sub-module needed to be

(mono-Si) (see Figure 3).

re-evaluated and updated. This conclusion is

In addition, the Institute made another important analytical contribution to the PV technology chapter. This contribution involved research on feedstock supply issues for several key PV materials: indium, tellurium, silver, selenium and gallium. These data are summarized in Figure 4. The DOE is expected to

important because NEMS is the primary energyeconomy model developed and maintained by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) to generate projections, currently through 2035, for the production, importation, conversion, consumption, and prices of energy.

release the final Solar Vision Study in the fall of 2010. Director and Co-Director, Debra Jacobson, the researchers initiated a dialogue with the EIA staff member responsible for the NEMS solar sub-module to assist in a reevaluation of the technological and cost assumptions. The EIA staff member also attended the included extensive discussion of current cost data and trends for solar energy. As a result of these interactions, the EIA staff member Figure 3. Balance of System Costs (Before Installer Profit) for Several PV Multiple Applications and a Range of Module Efficiencies (from the draft DOE Solar Vision Study, based on Institute research)

major report developed for EIA on national and region-specific installed costs for solar technology. This requested involvement is significant because NEMS is relied upon by the EIA in the analysis of various legislative proposals for the U.S. Congress, and the assumptions that are used in NEMS form the background to most U.S. debate about alternative energy options. The Director and EIA staff have engaged in an in-depth dialogue about the most appropriate price

Figure 4. Key PV Material Availability Forecast Annual Potential GW/yr Output (from the draft DOE Solar Vision Study, based on Institute research) 10

assumptions for large, utility-scale PV systems. The

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

Director has provided information from several solar

for Energy Technology: Strengthening the Link 1

installers and manufacturers as well data from the PV cost chapter of the draft DOE Solar Vision. It is expected that this dialogue will result in much more realistic assumptions by this crucial data source within the U.S. Department of Energy.

The solar advisory panel made a particularly important contribution by emphasizing the need to build scientific understanding of existing photovoltaic technologies rather than focusing undue emphasis on the discovery and exploration of completely new and revolutionary materials and approaches. Both areas are valuable but the panel emphasized existing PV technologies because the DOE Basic Energy Sciences

group of six technical experts advising the Office on a redirection of its solar energy research program. The goal of this expert review was to increase the relevance of the program to industry needs and national priorities and to increase the near-term research impact. The other members of the panel included officials from Applied Solar, DuPont, the National

Program had not previously given sufficient consideration to the value and opportunities for progress in those technologies. The Institute also facilitated cross-fertilization between DOE programs since some of the recommendations developed by the review panel for the Office of Basic Energy Sciences were included in the draft Solar Vision PV cost

Renewable Energy Laboratory, GE Global Research, and Columbia University. This effort involved

Advisory Committee in January 2010 as well as

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Agency Energy (ARPA-E)

participation in the drafting of a report chapter The Institute also provided a presentation on solar energy technologies in February 2010, as part of a The report concluded that the widespread penetration of photovoltaic solar electricity requires advances to

ARPA-E. At the request of the Agency, the

increase performance, lower costs and increase

presentation focused on the role of government

reliability. Moreover, the report highlighted three priority areas for basic science research: (1)

film cadmium telluride technology. The goal of the

fundamental properties of photovoltaic interfaces; (2) advanced photovoltaic analysis and computational modeling for scale-up; and (3) better control of photovoltaic lifetime and degradation processes. The Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee highlighted these three priority research areas in its

effectiveness in future solar research and development. ARPA-E is important because it is a new entity researching alternative energy technologies. It was modeled on the well-known Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), an Agency that claims responsibility for various technological 11

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

innovations, such as the Internet. ARPA-E is charged with several key goals, including the creation of new tools to bridge the gap between basic energy research and development and industrial innovation and the -of-

Office of Science and Technology Policy During the past year, the Institute built a strong working relationship with the renewable energy group of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in the Executive Office of the President. Interaction with this Office is important because of its role in advising the President and his senior staff on scientific and technical matters and in coordinating scientific and technical issues across the Federal government. One of the areas of Institute assistance to OSTP involved a briefing to the Science & Technology Policy Institute, an OSTP support organization, in June 2010. This briefing focused on various challenges and opportunities in siting solar energy facilities and related cost implications. For example, siting issues have included challenges and delays related to endangered species and habitat impacts, water use by certain solar thermal technologies, and concerns of

Figure 5. The 14 MW PV array above provides Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada with nearly 25 percent of its annual power use.

ASSISTING THE U.S. CONGRESS During the past year, the Institute and its researchers continued to assist the U.S. Congress by providing valuable technical information. This work Washington, D.C..

adjacent property owners about impacts on real estate

One area of assistance involved technical support to

values. The briefing explained that siting issues related

the staff of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

to utility-scale solar facilities in the Southwest U.S. are

relating to the development of the Department of

particularly important because large systems in these

Defense Energy Security Act. The legislation provides

sunny areas are about one-third the cost per kilowatt-

the first DoD requirements for on-site renewable

hour as small systems in the Mid-Atlantic region. This

energy, including a mandate by FY2021 for on-site

fact has important implications for meeting terawatt-

renewable electricity generation to offset 20% of

scale energy needs and is often overlooked by policy-

energy consumption by all facilities constructed in each fiscal year. The legislation also strengthens

economics.

overall renewable energy requirements.

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

The Institute also provided background information

ASSISTING STATE OFFICIALS

to Congressional staff members on the issue of feed-in -Director was

tariffs (FITs), an important financial incentive approach. FITs are a renewable energy policy that

appointed by the Director of the Virginia Department

typically offers a guarantee of: (1) payments to project

on Environmental Quality (VA DEQ) to serve on a

owners for renewable energy produced; (2) access to

Regulatory Advisory Panel to assist the Department in

the electric grid; and (3) stable, long-term contracts

the development of new regulations relating to solar

(e.g., 15 to 20 years). One of the major goals of energy

energy facilities. These new regulations will

and climate legislation is to accelerate the deployment

implement legislation enacted by the Virginia General

of clean energy technologies, including solar energy,

Assembly in 2009 that was designed to streamline

and experience in many countries, most notably in

permitting for small renewable energy facilities

Germany, has highlighted the benefit of FITs in

(defined as facilities up to 100MW), including solar

achieving this goal. However, a report on solar energy

energy facilities. The legislation required the

legal issues prepared for the Solar Institute (as well as another report prepared by researchers for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory) highlighted

regulation rather than being developed on a case-by-

substantial legal constraints impeding states interested

case basis. The solar-specific rulemaking is likely to be

in adopting FITs.

precedent-setting since it is an innovative effort to

In addition, it should be noted that the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 3585, the Solar Technology Roadmap Act, in October 2009. As

streamline the consideration of wildlife and historic resource issues in conjunction with the siting of stand-alone solar facilities in the East. In addition, the Institute sponsored a student project

Director was one of the witnesses who testified at a

to develop background information to assist the

hearing before the House Science and Technology

Regulatory Advisory Panel in its deliberations. The

Committee on this legislation in July 2009. The

Institute recruited five students completing their

legislation creates a strategic roadmap to advance solar energy technologies through prioritized research

Public Policy and Public Administration to focus their

and development activities.

final capstone project on this issue, and VA DEQ utilized the project results.

for PV, must move another notch. Simply put, there are places and PV systems today that can sell electricity at 13 Â˘/kWh, or even 10 Â˘/kWh, and make an adequate return. They are cost-effective at those prices without a cent of incentives, no carbon price, and not even traditional depreciation. And there is a potential for billions of watts of these systems and, as the years go by, a diffusion of their locations from the

- June 24, 2010 13

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

reduced (per watt of output), including the amount of land area, the size of support structures; the length of wires; and the amount of installation labor. Some

RESEARCHING AND ANALYZING CRITICAL ISSUES

module technologies, such as low-cost thin films (e.g.,

In its second year, the Solar Institute pursued a

system costs. In contrast, technologies, such as single-

number of new research projects, increased its

crystal silicon, already have very high efficiencies (over

engagement with students on research projects, and

20%) that are difficult to improve, and their balance of

completed a variety of research projects begun during

system costs are already low. For these technologies, a

its first year. This research work covered a wide range

different R&D focus is more valuable, including

of disciplines, including science and technology,

research to reduce module manufacturing costs, which

economics, law and policy, and it achieved some very

can result in reduced feedstock costs, larger modules,

significant outcomes.

and less capital intensive manufacturing.

RESEARCH BY INSTITUTE AND ITS FACULTY PARTNERS Analyzing the Cost and Performance of Photovoltaic Technologies

approximately $0.76/watt to produce) actually can reduce system cost effectively by gaining improved efficiency. This improvement slightly reduces their module costs, and it also reduces their balance of

Defining the Impact of Tellurium Supply on Cadmium Telluride Photovoltaics Another significant research project involved an analysis of how potential reductions in the thickness of the cadmium telluride layer in CdTe modules and enhanced tellurium (Te) recovery could substantially

involved the drafting and the coordination of peer

boost projected energy production of thin film CdTe solar cells. This research was stimulated by the needs of the DOE Solar Vision (see Figure 4) and was published in the May 7, 2010 issue of Science

was conducted under a subcontract to the National

magazine.2

Renewable Energy Laboratory. The significance of this work is discussed earlier in this report.

improved module efficiency and balance of system costs (see Figure 3) has been particularly helpful in highlighting productive future R&D directions for PV technologies. Clearly, as module efficiency increases, some components of the rest of a PV system can be 14

Figure 6. Table from Science article: The Impact of Tellurium Supply on Cadmium Telluride Photovoltaics

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

After many years of development, CdTe PV modules

The article emphasizes that the need for tellurium can

have become the lowest-cost producer of solar

be reduced from about 100 metric tons per gigawatt

electricity (even though these modules work at a lower

(GW) to about 4.4 metric tons per GW by increasing

efficiency than crystalline silicon cells), and sales have

module efficiency from 10% to 15% and by thinning

increased rapidly. However, concern has been

layers of CdTe from 3 microns to 0.2 micron. With

expressed about projecting hundredfold increases in

these improvements, maximum annual cadmium

power production relative to current production with

telluride module production from currently identified

CdTe. These concerns have been raised because Te is

ores (about 1500 metric tons/yr of tellurium as a by-

one of the

product of copper extraction) could allow CdTe

crust, and the current technology now uses Te at rates

modules to achieve nearly 100% market share for PV

that are substantial fractions of its documented supply.

sales reaching 10% or even 25% of world electricity use in 2030. These are huge global markets of about 3000

Zweibel, concludes that the long-term potential for CdTe PV modules need not be bleak, given realistic

to 7500 terawatt-hours per year (TWh/yr) (all U.S. electricity this year is about 4000 TWh/yr).

developments in cell technology and Te recovery.

Figure 7. Marketshare (%) Potential of CdTe for 10% and 25% of Future World Electricity Use (from Science Magazine; Zweibel, May 7, 2010) 15

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

Researching Improved Processes for Hydrogen Conversion During the past year, Professor Stuart Licht of the GW Department of Chemistry completed his research exploring the economics of a novel hybrid method (called Solar Thermal Electrochemical Photo or STEP) for the centralized production of hydrogen gas using concentrating PV electricity and solar thermal energy. The STEP method captures more sunlight than any individual technology by making use of both the visible and thermal portions of solar energy. The final research results demonstrate even greater

Figure

benefits than the preliminary results reported in last STEP process could cut the cost of producing hydrogen by 55% compared to traditional PV

by Stuart Licht, published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry - Letters : Coiled platinum before (left), and after (right), carbon capture at 750째 C in molten carbonate. Carbon dioxide fed into the electrolysis chamber is converted to solid carbon in a single step.

approaches to generate hydrogen. The land area to produce hydrogen is reduced by a factor of seven and capital costs are reduced significantly, greatly lowering the production costs. An article describing the foundation for this work was published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry,3 and the results of this research are in press in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy.4 This important research provides evidence that the STEP system is an economically viable solution for the production of hydrogen. It can produce hydrogen at a

On another front, an impetus to drive a transition from fossil fuels to solar generation of electricity is the growing use of electric vehicles. An obstacle to the implementation of electric cars is the low driving range imposed by the high weight and volume of contemporary lithium batteries (lithium batteries have only one-fifth the volumetric energy density of field of multi-electron storage to increase battery storage capacity, including the new vanadium boride air battery, which discharges eleven electrons per

cost equivalent to that of gasoline at $2.60 per gallon.

molecule and delivers twice the energy capacity of

The STEP process has continued to receive attention

gasoline,9 and the super-iron battery.10 The National

from the private sector, and the process is now also

Science Foundation has awarded GW a new three-year

being investigated for chemical processes to use solar energy to efficiently synthesize fuels, including synthetic jet fuel and diesel fuel,5,6 and for carbon dioxide free processes to produce metals, such as iron.7 A publication detailing advances in this research is in press in the Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters.8 16

grant for research of these multi-electron batteries.

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

Evaluating the Solar Energy Potential of the Department of Defense

Improving Assessment of the Air Emissions Reduction Benefits of Solar Energy -Director,

School of Engineering and Applied Science have made

Debra Jacobson, published an article in the inaugural

substantial progress in advancing their project to

edition of the George Washington University Journal

evaluate the solar potential of Department of Defense

of Energy and Environmental Law, and the Yale

(DoD) facilities and non-tactical vehicles. Moreover,

School of Forestry and Environmental Studies

the research has resulted in important technical

republished this article in a report of the work of the

guidance in the development of Federal legislation.

REIL Project, a leading international renewable energy

This project is the focus of the doctoral dissertation

network. This article, which was co-authored with

research of Ariel Castillo and his co-investigator,

Colin High of Resources Systems Group, was titled

Professor Jonathan Deason. Research conducted during the second year of this project confirmed that the DoD only would need to set total energy needs for facilities and non-tactical vehicles with solar energy. In addition to their research on solar energy potential, the researchers have completed an analysis of other key parameters, including facility energy requirements, carbon dioxide

Assessment of the Air Emissions Reduction Benefits of Increased Use of Energy Efficiency and Renewable 11

Although most of the

underlying research work for the article was funded by the Clean Energy/Air Quality Integration Initiative of the U.S. DOE, the GW Solar Institute provided important additional support during the final stages of the research and the drafting of the law review article.

emissions, and the cost of implementing solar energy

The publication analyzes three common

at 200 major DoD bases in the continental U.S. They

methodologies used for quantifying air emission

also are evaluating the mission considerations of these

reductions from increased use of energy efficiency and

bases. The goal of the project is to complete by the

renewable energy technologies, including solar PV.

end of the year an evaluation of all of the listed

Two of these methodologies are based on information

parameters to support the development of a

in the Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated

framework for a solar energy transition across the 200

Database (eGRID), and the third methodology was

bases. In addition, the researchers plan to develop an

developed by Resource Systems Group (RSG).

optimization model identifying the most promising

The law review article finds that the eGRID system

candidate bases for solar energy implementation. As

average methodology that has been applied by the

discussed earlier in this report, the research has

Climate Registry and hundreds of other entities

resulted in important technical guidance during the

understates the carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide

past year to the staff of Congresswoman Gabrielle

emission reduction benefits of PV in two regional

Giffords in support of the development of the

power markets by approximately 65% to 165%

Department of Defense Energy Security Act.

compared to a methodology based on calculations of emission reductions from marginal generating units 17

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

on an hourly basis (RSG methodology). The eGRID

Reevaluating the Economics of Photovoltaics

system average methodology also underestimates the emission reduction benefits of increased use of EERE technologies when compared to the eGRID nonbaseload methodology. More recent work undertaken

other sources of electric power over their typically long

across all regions of the country confirms that these

operating lives of up to a century. His research

findings are not isolated results but are indicative of widespread misapplication of the eGRID system

of its long operating period might change the way we

average methodology.

deploy it to meet societal challenges like climate change and energy security. The Energy Policy

This publication is significant because 40 States have

journal has accepted this paper for publication.

adopted the Climate Registry protocols as their approach for measuring direct and indirect emissions

According to the paper, the electricity costs of fossil

in their greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories. These

fuel plants remain fairly high after initial capital

protocols rely on the eGRID system average

expenses are paid because fuel price dominates plant

methodology in the typical case where utility-specific

economics, and fuel continues to be burned. In

data is not available. Moreover, the major climate

comparison, for power plants that use little or no fuel,

legislation in the House of Representatives and Senate

such as PV, wind, and hydro, operating costs after loan

references the Climate Registry protocols. The law

payments cease are much smaller (see Figure 9 for a

review highlights cost-effective recommendations to

case with 3% fuel price escalation). PV is unique in

address this serious problem, including an

having the lowest operating costs and requiring little

enhancement of the eGRID Database.

or no capital expenses during its operating life.

The research results were provided to the Climate Registry, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the DOE to underscore these serious issues. In addition, the co-authors provided the article to the Council of Environmental Quality to assist in the development of a GHG reporting protocol for Federal agencies.

Figure 9. The levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of these options assuming a 3% fuel escalation and a 0% discount rate. 18

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

years, and periods of 40 years are being considered. With proper design, PV might last a century at

Researching Key Legal Issues to Support Solar Expansion

negligible operating or refurbishing costs. Figure 9 shows a case where PV has a dominating cost advantage assuming a zero discount rate. After a

In 2010, research teams led by Lee Paddock, Associate Dean for Environmental Studies at the GW Law School, and David Grinlinton, a Visiting Professor

remains less expensive than conventional sources up to a discount rate of about 2%. There is an ongoing debate about the appropriate discount rate for government-funded infrastructure, and a 2% rate is not out of the question. At present, society and decisionoperating cost into account when examining PV deployment strategies.

from the University of Auckland, completed a major report on solar energy legal issues funded by the Solar Institute. The report highlighted how the legal framework for solar energy has a major impact on the viability of solar electric generation facilities of all sizes. It analyzed the following critical legal questions related to solar energy deployment: the value of feedin tariffs and issues that may complicate the ability of states in the United States to adopt such tariffs; the

Analyzing Current Economic Models for Solar Electric Generation

role that Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards play in supporting solar energy development; public utility regulatory barriers impacting certain types of solar

During the past year, additional work on this project -

energy providers; the nature of the steps that can be

involving the solar energy sub-module of the 2009

taken to expedite siting of transmission lines; the effect

National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) - was

that land use and zoning regulations may have on

conducted by professors in the GW Economics

solar facility deployment; and the value of government

Department, including Frederick Joutz, Arun Malik,

procurement provisions in increasing solar energy

and Robert Trost, and a graduate student, Mark

production. The study reviewed all of these issues in

Hutson. This work also involved the interactions of

the United States and for several of the issues, in other

the solar sub-module with the rest of the NEMS

countries Germany, Spain, Japan, China, and

model.

Australia.

In the course of working with NEMS last year, the

Dean Paddock presented the results of his research on

researchers had found that some of the primary

feed-in tariffs at an energy symposium sponsored by

technological and cost assumptions underlying its

the University of Toledo Law School in March 2010.

solar sub-module needed to be re-evaluated and

In addition, the University of Toledo Law Review has

updated. This conclusion is very important because

accepted a related law review article co-authored by

NEMS is the primary energy-economy model

Dean Paddock and David Grinlinton for publication.

developed and maintained by the U.S. EIA. As discussed earlier, this research work resulted an important dialogue with the EIA (see section on

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

Assessing the Design, Adoption, and Impact of State Solar Financial Incentives

incentives for small-scale solar technology adoption. Solar energy incentives appear to work better in certain contexts than others (i.e., where conventional

In 2009, researchers from the GW Institute of Public

electricity is costly and carbon-intensive, where

Policy completed important research that should be

installation costs are low-to-moderate). The

valuable in contributing to improved design of state

researchers also found that solar incentive programs,

financial incentives for solar energy. This research

particularly rebates for residential PV systems in

project, conducted by Andrea Sarzynski and Gary

certain States, appear quite expensive as tools for

Young, sought to fill major information gaps about:

greenhouse gas reduction compared to other

(1) the level of state expenditures on incentive

alternatives.

programs; (2) program results; and (3) the nature of the design or implementation features that worked best to promote the use of solar energy technology.

The research reveals that a state-financed incentive program does not appear to be a necessary condition for solar market development in some states. For

This project addressed the information gaps through

instance, market conditions already may provide

three research phases. The first phase catalogued and

sufficient inducement to invest in solar energy

assessed the design and variation of state-level

technology (e.g., Hawaii) or non-state incentive

incentives for solar power (as of December 2008). The

programs already may be successfully stimulating

second phase compiled evidence regarding the impact

markets (e.g., Arizona). In many other states,

of incentive programs in ten states on consumer

however, small-scale solar facilities remain quite

adoption of solar technology, reduction in energy

expensive to install, and financial incentives may be

demand, and reduction in the environmental impact

necessary to stimulate market development.

of energy production. The third phase of the project evaluated the factors that influenced the adoption of state solar financial incentives within states. Three

Modeling the Solar Grand Plan to Facilitate Deployment

work products were produced: a technical report on the design and variation of solar energy incentives; a technical report on the impact of state incentive

School of Engineering and Applied Science have made

programs in ten states; and a working paper on the

substantial progress in advancing their project to

factors influencing state adoption of solar energy

construct buildout scenarios associated with

incentives.

transitioning the United States to an electric power

Several high-level findings emerged from this project. First, nearly all state financial incentive programs are oriented toward consumer adoption of small-scale solar energy technology, rather than utility-scale solar projects. Second, the actual design of incentives varied widely across states, and only a limited number of the 10 states reviewed appear to provide effective 20

generating platform consisting primarily of renewable energy, as described in the Solar Grand Plan.12 This project is the focus of the doctoral dissertation research of Steven Burns and his co-investigator, Professor Jonathan Deason. They have engaged professionals throughout the energy industry in documenting the current status of the U.S. electric

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

generating system and the technical steps necessary to

Decision Sciences, provides a different set of tools to

transition to large-scale renewable energy generation.

assist in the planning of large-scale solar deployment.

This project entails the application of manufacturing,

This research uses a systems dynamic approach to model how PV, wind energy, and traditional electric

cost, resource, development, and regulatory limitations through a linear optimization model that

generation sources will compete and be deployed as the costs of solar electric generation decrease over a

outputs an optimized project plan detailing a recommended phased buildout schedule of solar PV

period of 40 years.

and other renewable energy-based generation and

A major advantage of this systems dynamic model is

associated transmission infrastructure in the United

that it provides a user-friendly, flexible tool. At any

States over the next 40 years. This model will enable

layer of the model itself, one can view the parameters

planners to develop a realistic deployment schedule

in an influence diagram that, while complicated

balancing power price increases and construction

because of the large number of elements, shows clearly

timeframes with growth in installed solar and other

how they affect one another. The model needs only

renewable energy capacity.

seconds of time to run, with output that can be shown

The strength of the model that is under development is

directly in tables and graphs. The parameters that one wishes to study can be changed by turning a knob on

that it focuses on one of the primary technical limitations associated with large-scale renewable energy deployment: the issue of transmission capacity

the screen. Thus, results of different strategic options can be viewed quickly.

available to intermittent power generation resources. The model incorporates available data with respect to

proprietary models are not user-friendly. More

power grid stability and transmission capacity to and

importantly, such models are not readily transparent,

from each region

requiring the understanding of thousands of lines of

two items that ultimately will

limit renewable energy buildout. Consequently, the -scale renewable energy integration and provide an optimized year-by-year plan for upgraded transmission to these areas to minimize total time to implement the Solar Grand Plan or other proposed renewable energy buildout plans while observing cost and regulatory constraints. The model currently is in

code to view their inner workings. At the other end of the spectrum, complicated spreadsheet models also do not show easily the paths of their calculations. Furthermore, they are mostly static, i.e., often unable to capture the interaction of variables and changing conditions. Thus, the system dynamics approach employed by the researchers offers significant potential benefits.

the final testing phase and is projected be completed this year. In addition, a second project to assist in the planning of large-scale solar deployment is also moving forward. This project, led by Professors Denis Cioffi and Homayoun Khamooshi in the GW Department of

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

Assessing Policies to Expand Investment in and Use of Solar Power in the U.S.

From the standpoint of traditional economic analysis, subsidies for solar power are justified when the total value of the external benefits from deploying solar power equal or exceed the cost differential between

of Public Policy and Public Administration completed

producing electricity from solar power vs. other

the development of a solar policy framework that:

means. Earlier assessments of solar subsidies have

summarizes the case for public intervention to

suggested that the external benefits were not sufficient

promote the use of solar power (based on the best and most recent evidence on benefits of solar power that

draft report identifies and discusses several factors that

are not reflected in market prices and costs); develops

strengthen the case for public subsidies for solar

a typology of different legal, regulatory, and fiscal

power: (1) political obstacles to enacting policies that

options available for encouraging wider and more

would put prices on what the National Academy of

rapid use of solar energy technologies; and evaluates illustrative policies, benchmarked against accepted

fossil fuels; (2) new estimates of these hidden costs,

criteria of policy effectiveness. Joseph Cordes,

which suggest significant savings in hidden social costs

Associate Director of the Trachtenberg School of

from greater deployment of solar power; (3)

Public Policy and Public Administration, led this

continued reductions in the cost of solar power; and

research with assistance from Peter Linquiti, a graduate student. The categories of public policy responses identified in this research are organized along a continuum from those that entail minimal public intervention, to those requiring more activist policies to address market failures, and they include the following: (1) policies to

deployment of solar technologies. The draft report also analyzes recently released Treasury Department data on the volume and geographic distribution of Section 1603 cash grants.

level the playing field by eliminating legal and regulatory barriers; (2) policies that affect relative production cost, such as investment tax credits and regulatory/tax treatment of fossil fuels (e.g. cap-andtrade); (3) policies that affect production through capital costs and investment risk, such as interest rate subsidies, loan guarantees and tax treatment of the financial return to solar capital supplied by individual investors; and (4) policies that affect the prices and revenues received by providers of solar power, such as Renewable Portfolio Standards and feed-in tariffs.

which is a standard framework for evaluating investment tax incentives, along with the Solar Advisor Model, developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, to compare the incentive effects of production tax credits and investment tax credits. Based on this analysis, the draft report discusses the comparative economic, financial and political advantages and disadvantages of the two types of tax credits. The report will be completed for posting on

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

STUDENT RESEARCH

classified as a threatened species rather than an endangered species). In addition, the mitigation plan

Several law students conducted important research on

proposed the relocation of the desert tortoise off the

solar energy issues as part of a course on

Ivanpah Project site following detailed scientific study

Environmental Issues in Energy Law co-taught by the

and consultation with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

-Director at the GW Law School in the

The research indicated that BrightSource has not only

spring of 2010. Three of these projects are discussed

complied with the requirements of the ESA, but it also

below, and all three research papers are posted on the

had taken additional measures to protect the desert tortoise. Therefore, the paper concluded that the relevant Federal and State agencies should issue the

Analyzing the Endangered Species Act and Utility-Scale Solar Development in the Southwest

relevant approvals to the Ivanpah Project under the ESA. The Donohue paper also examines the ramifications of

One research paper, prepared by LLM candidate Jay

the Solar Programmatic Environmental Impact

Donohue, shows the significant impact that legal issues involving the Endangered Species Act (ESA) can

environmental permitting process for future projects

have on the development of utility-scale solar power

located within Solar Energy Zones in the Southwest.

facilities in the Southwest region of the United States.

Lastly, the research evaluates legislation proposed by

The paper focuses on a case study of BrightSource

Senator Feinstein from California entitled the

System (Ivanpah Project), the issue of the threatened

substantially limit solar development in the Mojave Desert, including the Ivanpah Project.

mitigation plan for the tortoise under the ESA. The research revealed the impact on the project of the discovery of the desert tortoise in 2007 during the development of the BrightSource project. Following this discovery, BrightSource developed and issued a mitigation plan to relevant Federal agencies (pursuant to its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act and the ESA). BrightSource agreed to reduce the size of the Ivanpah Project by 23% (reducing the capacity of the facility to 392

Researching Solar Real Estate Investment Trusts In 2010, another student involved in the GW Law School energy law course, Joshua Sturtevant, conducted extensive research to advance the concept of Solar Real Estate Investment Trusts (Solar REITs). The Institute Director had suggested this general concept last year, and the student research helped to develop important details.

megawatts). The proposed modification eliminated

The general concept proposed by the Director was to

the land area where the project would have had the

extend a tax structure, which already exists and

greatest impact on the desert tortoise (even though the

benefits the commercial real estate market, to

land is not in a critical habitat and the tortoise is

stimulate large-scale solar energy development. Just as 23

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

real estate investment trusts (REITs) have spurred

Researching Restrictive Covenants

investment into commercial real estate, it was argued that Solar REITs could bring solar development to the

A third GW Law student research project by Katherine

masses and would increase capital flows into solar

Ramsey sought to respond to a request for research

energy markets. The REIT concept is especially

assistance by a member of the Board of Directors of

applicable to solar PV because of the nature of this

the MD-DC-VA Solar Energy Industries Association.

technology, particularly its dependable output

This research project addressed the important issue of -Director

independent of most market risks (e.g, fuel price increases, risks related to new greenhouse gas

supervised this research. This student project should

regulation) and its long useful life.

be valuable in supporting the constitutionality of the legislation, expected to be introduced in the 2011

code must be clarified in order to make this vision of solar investment a reality. For utility-scale solar facilities, it is necessary to clarify that proceeds from

Session of the Virginia General Assembly, to invalidate existing homeowner association covenants that unreasonably restrict the installation of solar collection devices.

ยง 856 of the Internal Revenue Code. Such a

During the 2010 Session of the Virginia General

clarification could be achieved by securing a favorable

Assembly, legislation was introduced to invalidate

revenue ruling or private letter ruling from the

existing homeowner association covenants that

Internal Revenue Service. Alternatively, Congress

unreasonably restrict the installation of solar collection

could enact legislation amending the Internal Revenue

devices. Of particular concern to opponents was the

Code to achieve this objective. The effectiveness of the

fact that the legislation was retroactive in effect and

REIT structure in the solar energy context also would

addressed restrictive covenants that became effective

require the restructuring of some of the current

before July 1, 2008. Opponents of the legislation

financial incentives for large-scale solar projects as well as their clear integration with the REIT structure.

contracts in violation of the contracts clauses in both the federal and Virginia Constitutions, and the sponsor of the legislation (House Bill 881) deferred the bill to the 2011 Session to review this objection. The purpose of the student research was to provide background information relevant to reconsideration of this legislation in the 2011 Session of the General Assembly. The paper explains why the legislation is likely to survive challenges under the contracts clauses, compares the bill to legislation in other States, and enactment.

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

ability to convene high-level officials from the solar energy community. Speakers included senior executives from First Solar and SunPower, which represent approximately 90 percent of U.S.-owned

RAISING AWARENESS EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF SOLAR LEADERS

manufacturing in solar PV; senior executives from BrightSource Energy, SolarReserve, and Abengoa Solar, which represent about half of the planned solar thermal deployment in the world; senior executives from leading companies in the solar industry supply

Another major role of the Solar Institute is educating

chain, DuPont and Lockheed Martin, and the

the next generation of solar energy leaders through

President of the major U.S. solar trade association.

lectures and other opportunities. A major initiative in

Other presenters included Ambassador Stuart

this area was launched in April with the creation of the

Eizenstat, who held senior executive branch positions

Solar Institute-Lockheed Martin Fellows program.

under three presidents, and John Lushetsky, Director

Under this partnership, a graduate student from the Other prominent solar energy experts from selected to conduct research under the supervision of

government, non-profit organizations and academia

the Solar Institute during the 2010 to 2011 academic

also delivered remarks.

year. The research will focus on solar policy and legal matters related to large-scale solar energy projects. As a complement to the Fellows program, Lockheed Martin committed to hire the Fellow to work on energy issues, including solar energy, in a summer internship program.

Attendance at the symposium included more than 200 attendees from government, the private sector, nonprofit organizations and academia. In addition, more than 100 individuals viewed the symposium live as it was streamed over the Internet, and the presentations and associated video also have been made available for

HOSTING THE SECOND ANNUAL The symposium keynote speech by Ambassador

A LEADING SOLUTION TO CLIMATE AND

On April 19, 2010, the Solar Institute hosted its Second Annual Solar Symposium examining -long symposium featured a keynote speaker as well as four panels: Solar Vision Forum, Solar PV Electricity, Solar Thermal Electricity, and Solar Transportation - Electricity or

Eizenstat provided an important historical perspective

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

on solar energy policy dating back to the Carter

favorable long-term comparative economics for solar

Administration as well as highlighting current issues.

PV compared to other non-CO2 electric generating

He underscored the competitive challenges in solar manufacturing posed by China, which is expected to

low operating costs are considered beyond a 20-year

manufacture two-thirds of the solar panels in the

time horizon.

world by the end of 2010. At the same time, he stressed concern about the lack of continuing Federal incentive funds available to spur solar manufacturing in the U.S. and the scheduled expiration of the Treasury cash grant incentive program for solar energy at the end of 2010. Significant attention was focused on the vision for solar energy, and John Lushetsky discussed the goals Study. This study was designed to evaluate the technical, economic and environmental feasibility of meeting 10% to 20% of electricity demand from solar energy technologies by 2030. Julie Blunden, Vice President for Public Policy at SunPower, predicted that solar energy would become the #1 or #2 resource for new electric generation in North America and Europe by 2015.

Maja Wessels, Executive Vice President of First Solar, manufacturer (using a CdTe thin film technology), reduction in module costs in five years, declining from $2.94 per Watt (W) in 2004 to $0.84/W in the fourth quarter of 2009. (In July 2010, First Solar announced it had reduced these module costs to $0.76/W).

Rhone Resch, President of the Solar Energy Industries Association, emphasized the growth already occurring

capacity skyrocketed from 10 Megawatts (MW) to

in the solar industry. He stressed that 85 MW of utility-scale PV was in operation but more than 6500

roadmap projects a further reduction to $0.52 to

MW was under development at the time of the

$0.63/W by 2014.

conference.

Substantial discussion also focused on approaches to

The symposium presentations from solar PV experts

achieving further cost reductions and product

emphasized the dramatic price reductions in solar

efficiencies. Several speakers emphasized that

modules that have occurred in recent years.

increased attention has been directed at addressing

According to Rhone Resch, average PV module prices

so-

fell approximately 40% between mid-2008 and the end

cells and modules) have declined. These soft costs

of 2009, and speakers emphasized the continuing cost

include project management and installation costs as

reductions anticipated in coming years. Moreover,

well as the costs of regulatory delays. SunPower

Institute Director, Ken Zweibel, highlighted the

underscored substantial cost reductions that they have

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

Figure 10. Elaine Ulrich (left), Senior Legislative Aide for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, and Cyrus Wadia (right), Senior Renewables Analyst for the Office of nd Science and Technology Policy, part of the Executive Office of the President, discuss solar energy issues between sessions at th Annual Symposium.

achieved in the past three years in this area supported

A number of speakers underscored that one of the

by a contract with the Department of Energy. David Miller, President of Electronics and Communications for DuPont, provided insights into the critical role of continuing improvements in materials in increasing the future competitiveness of the solar PV industry. These materials include items such as encapsulants to protect the modules, metallization pastes and junction boxes. Miller emphasized that the cost of materials represents a greater percentage of total PV costs (30%) compared to other electronic products (e.g., displays and semiconductors), thereby increasing the significance of developments in this area. DuPont is ranked first in the world in PV materials manufacturing, and Miller

capital, and they stressed the critical need for long-term, consistent incentive policies to overcome this constraint. Among the key financing needs cited were the extension of the Treasury grant program (established in 2009 and slated to expire at the end of 2010), improvements in the DOE loan guarantee program, reinstating a 30% solar manufacturing tax credit, establishing a Federal clean energy bank to provide access to low-cost financing, and broadening the investor base through a Solar Real Estate Investment Trust concept. Other speakers highlighted the need for improved access to land and transmission as well as issues involved in integrating solar energy into the electric utility grid. Streamlining the

innovations will enhance PV competitiveness by reducing module costs, increasing cell efficiency, and increasing the lifetime of PV systems to deliver lowercost power. 28

environmental review process for projects on Federal lands and for projects receiving Federal loan guarantees also was cited as an area of concern.

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

Many speakers also highlighted increasing

incentives also were cited as key drivers. Both

opportunities for solar energy. For example, Julie

presenters also highlighted the advantages of solar

Blunden stressed that electric utilities across the

thermal technology in allowing utilities to store solar

country were now at an inflection point in the use of

energy produced at various times of the day to help

solar enrgy. She cited contracts with Pacific Gas &

address the intermittency of solar energy and to

Electric for a 210 MW central station generating plant

provide power during peak demand periods, thereby commanding the highest prices. Cost declines in solar

and own 200 MW of distributed rooftop generation.

thermal technologies were projected as a result of

She stressed that utilities have been influenced by the

further research and development, larger plants, global

fact that the levelized cost of energy for solar PV is

market growth, and the associated learning curve

now competitive with natural gas peaking plants, the

effects.

reduced risks associated with solar PV, and other factors.

In the presentations on solar energy in the transportation sector, Dr. Stuart Licht of the GW

William Gould, the Chief Technical Officer of Solar

Chemistry Department detailed an innovative

Reserve, and Scott Frier, the Chief Operating Officer

approach to use solar energy to produce both

of Abengoa Solar, provided a detailed review of the

hydrogen and synthetic diesel for transportation. Don

advances in solar thermal technologies that have

Paul, the Executive Director of the University of

moved these technologies into commercial use in the

Southern California Energy Institute, compared the

Southwest U.S. Frier emphasized that 430 MW of

nature of the challenges involved in the various fuel

concentrated solar power projects are already in

and transport supply chains. For example, he stressed

operation in the United States and that an additional

the high cost of the new production infrastructure

8,280 MW of projects are under signed contracts with

needed for synthetic fuels but the benefits of reliance

utilities.

on existing vehicles and distribution and supply infrastructure for such fuels. Both Don Paul and Sam

the #1 or #2 new generation resource in North America

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, underscored the need for research and development

Julie Blunden, Vice President for Public Policy, SunPower, GW Solar Institute Symposium, April 19, 2010

on a diverse portfolio of energy options in the transportation sector, including solar energy sources. In summary, the Second Annual Symposium

The presentations on solar thermal technologies

highlighted both the opportunities for solar energy as

emphasized that the increased interest of electric

well as many significant challenges. It also

utilities in these technologies has been driven by

underscored the importance of technical and policy

several factors, including the need to diversify

advances to meet these challenges.

generation portfolios to hedge against fuel price risks and volatility and the risks of carbon regulation. Mandated renewable energy targets and financial 29

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

EDUCATING STAKEHOLDERS THROUGH THE NEWS MEDIA, PRESENTATIONS, AND OTHER OUTREACH

Energy Washington

Public education is critical in achieving the market

Habitat Media

transformation necessary for solar energy

IEEE Spectrum

development, and therefore, the Institute continued to place a significant emphasis on its work with the news media and other outreach efforts.

Fox News GW Today

InfoX Land Letter MIT Technology Review

News Media The Solar Institute built on the success of its first year

MSNBC Progressive Radio Network

by continuing a positive relationship with the news

Puglia Live

media. In addition to in-person interviews - on the

Science Magazine

radio, on camera, or on the record for a story reporters have turned to Institute staff for important background and analysis in preparing articles for

SNL Financial The Christian Science Monitor

publication. The Institute has established itself as a

The Columbus Dispatch

place for reporters to receive un-biased and factual

The GW Hatchet

insight on the latest solar issues.

The New York Times

In the last year, reporters from the following news

Voice of America

outlets have contacted the Institute for interviews and analysis or have published articles by its staff:

The impact of these interviews can be highlighted with a few examples. For instance, after conversations with

AOL News ARD German Television American Forces Network Carbon Control News

absence of a comprehensive national solar policy and its impact on the U.S. solar market. The New York

CNet

how the impact of transient clouds can be limited on

Consumer Energy Report

the electricity output of large-scale solar facilities. In

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

another press report, the Director critiqued the

numerous law firms across the country, and more than

tendency of government research agencies to focus

300 individuals participated directly in the event. The

undue emphasis on funding high-risk solar energy

Director discussed the special characteristics of large-

technologies instead of advancing foundational

scale PV and concentrated solar power facilities,

knowledge of established technologies. Thus, the

technical and economic opportunities and challenges, and siting issues.

to maintain U.S. competitiveness in established solar

In February, the Director participated in a conference

technologies in which U.S. companies currently possess a competitive edge.

Presentations and Other Outreach Presentations also are an important component of the

also focused on large-scale solar facilities, and it highlighted the current costs, land use characteristics, and the long-life potential of such facilities in the Southwest U.S. The impact of "soft costs," particularly

Directors provided nearly two dozen presentations

Federal and state regulatory hurdles, also was

last year on an array of solar energy issues to a wide

discussed. The panel discussion with environmental

range of solar energy stakeholders. Audiences ranged

and agency officials underscored the need to strike an

from highly sophisticated solar energy professionals,

appropriate balance between renewable energy goals

such as the attendees of the 2009 International

and wildlife protection concerns in the solar energy

Semiconductor Device Research Symposium at the

development process.

University of Maryland and those attending the

The Institute also provided seminars to business

Intersolar North America Conference, to audiences

leaders during the past year. For example,

seeking an introduction to the solar energy field. In

presentations to Lockheed Martin and DuPont

October 2009, the Director also addressed the Solar

executives on technical and policy issues provided

Power International Conference, the largest solar

valuable updates to these industry leaders on key

conference in North America. The presentations

issues.

focused on a variety of topics, such as solar energy technology and economic trends, technical challenges, and solar energy policy issues.

-Director delivered a presentation at Yale University sponsored by the REIL Project. The presentation summarized her

One of the areas of focus in the past year involved

collaborative research that critiques the methodology

presentations to the legal community

a key player

used by the 40-State Climate Registry for calculating

in the efforts to expand solar energy deployment. In

the emission reduction benefits of renewable energy

February 2010, the Director delivered a talk on a

and energy efficiency.

webcast sponsored by the American Bar Association (ABA) and the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) on the topic of "Solar: The Future

meetings with various key stakeholders throughout the

King of Renewables?" The event was streamed to

year. These meetings ranged from one with the

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

Executive Director of the Solar Electric Power

websites dedicated to renewable energy news and information. Through these sites, the Institute has

associations, to a meeting with the Team Leader for

sought to highlight critical issues in the solar energy

Climate and Chemicals of the Global Environment

field and address misstatements that often occur. In

Facility, the largest public sector renewable energy

addition, the Institute has engaged in many healthy

technology transfer mechanism in the world.

dialogues with readers of the blog.

Internet and Social Media The GW Solar Institute made significant progress in

2009, explains in detail the key metrics driving solar

expanding its Internet presence in the last year. In

energy adoption.

addition to the hundreds of followers on Facebook and

Twitter, the Institute has an e-mail listserv of more

resolution map of the solar resource in the U.S. and

than 2,000 significant solar energy stakeholders,

the simple calculations necessary to determine their

including industry professionals, energy lawyers,

local solar resource. With that number, individuals

Federal officials, and legislative staff. The listserv and social networking sites allow the Institute to quickly

annual output in kWh per installed Watt. The blog

distribute important solar news and educational

further explains the metric of dollar per Watt, and

information and to keep pace with the quickly

coupled with the output calculation, one can then

changing solar market and national conversation. The

make a reasonable estimation of the cost of energy in cents per kWh. This information is useful to not only solar neophytes but also to policymakers because it

visited by more than 10,000 individuals from 93

allows one to understand the impact of solar policies

countries.

on affordability and to compare the cost of electricity other similar blog posts that help visitors understand 2

electricity and uses 100,000 km for lakes behind the dams. This is about 1% of US land area. So in comparison,

solar economics and land use issues are proving to be an important output of the Institute as the national energy dialogue becomes more sophisticated. The main Solar Institute website continues to improve

Our Electricity with Solar

- January 28, 2010

the resources available to visitors. In addition to a growing document library and catalog of the

significant traction within the last year, when the

other solar energy events. In short, the GW Solar

Institute won support for its syndication at

Institute is making full use of the Internet as a means

RenewableEnergyWorld.com, one of the most visited

of disseminating knowledge.

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

Blog posts at TheSolarReview.org:

Is Bad News Better than No News?

Postponed Gratification

We Love Our Cheap Modules

Science Fiction Dream

Does It Matter that Something Can Be Cheap a Long Time from Now?

The Illusion of a Level Playing Field

Cinch

More Silliness from California Should US Coal be Phased Out in Favor of Wind and Solar? Grandfathering Our Problems, Blocking Our Solutions Solar Photovoltaics (PV) is CostCompetitive Now Photovoltaics Comes of Age The Gulf Spill: Addiction Reaction Solar for The Arithmetic of Solar Royalty Trusts

Land Needed To Make All Our Electricity with Solar Photovoltaics

We Are Replacing Current Infrastructure and Incurring Added Costs, Because That Is the Only Way We Can Rapidly Turn Down Fossil Fuels First Solar, Ordos, China, US Is CIGS Turning the Corner? Climate Change and Peak Oil?

(and Why They Do) How Much Could We Save If We Harness Solar and Wind with Electric Vehicles to End Oil Dependence and Eliminate Carbon Dioxide as a Problem? CO2, Oil, Electric Vehicles, Wind and Solar

Rule and Solar Energy Buying PV Without Getting Ripped Off Solar PV Getting Cheaper, But Press PV Fast Facts Our Excellent Renewables Adventure

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

MOVING FORWARD As the Institute expands its relationships throughout

Overcoming challenges to the siting and financing

the U.S. Federal government, opportunities abound

of solar energy facilities;

for research and outreach about key issues impacting

Resolving barriers to new transmission facilities;

the future of solar energy. Some examples include the following:

Finding a proper balance of societal investment in solar energy (for CO2 reduction and energy

Reducing solar energy costs;

diversification, including recognizing the value of

Sustaining market growth so that learning-driven

long-lasting PV); and

cost reductions continue;

Defining the opportunity for electric

Assuring continuing improvements in solar

transportation powered by solar energy.

energy technology;

The Institute will continue to take a leadership role in

Integrating variable solar resources into the power

pursuing these and other issues. We look forward to

grid;

working with interested parties on these efforts.

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

APPENDICES I: GOVERNANCE Staff Director

Professor Ken Zweibel has led the Solar Institute and served as its Director since its formation in

September 2008. This position continues three decades of experience in the solar energy field. He led the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s successful Thin Film PV Partnership; was co-founder, the first President and Chairman of the Board of PrimeStar Solar; authored two books on PV; and co-authored the notable “A Solar Grand Plan,” published in Scientific American in 2008. Co-Director

Debra Jacobson joined the Solar Institute as its Co-Director and a Research Professor in

September 2009. She has worked on issues involving energy and environmental law and policy for more than 30 years. Debra earned a B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of Rochester and a Juris Doctor with honors from The George Washington University Law School. Executive Coordinator

Alexander Winn has been an integral member of the Solar Institute since its

formation. He has assisted in various research efforts, and has taken the lead in coordinating many important projects, including the Annual Symposium, Institute communications, and the Institute’s website. Alex earned his B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in Public Policy from The George Washington University and has begun the second year of the Masters in Public Administration Program at GW’s Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration.

Scientific Directors

The Institute also has benefited from the advice of its two Scientific Directors selected

from among the GW faculty. Denis F. Cioffi Randall K. Packer

Associate Professor of Decision Sciences, GW School of Business Associate Dean of Special Projects & Professor of Biology, GW Columbian College of

Arts & Sciences

Advisory Board

Based on years of academic, industry, technical and policy experience, the Advisory Board

members provide the guidance necessary for the Institute to make an important impact in the field of solar energy. These exceptional leaders are as follows: Ted Turner, Chairman, Turner Enterprises, Inc. John Gaffney, Vice President of Corporate Development & General Counsel, Solyndra, Inc. Richard Perez, Senior Research Associate, Atmospheric Sciences Research Center, State University of New York (SUNY), Albany LeRoy Paddock, Associate Dean for Environmental Studies and Professorial Lecturer in Law, The George Washington University Law School Jerry Bloom, Partner, Chair, Energy Practice, Winston & Strawn LLP Robin Crawford, Senior Vice President, Ruder Finn, Inc. 36

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

II: RESEARCH NETWORK GW Solar Institute Researchers

We thank our colleagues and those GW students who have aided in the

research efforts of the Solar Institute, both jointly and independently.

Faculty Denis F. Cioffi , Project Investigator, School of Business, Decision Sciences Joseph Cordes, Project Investigator, Trachtenberg School of Public Policy & Public Administration Jonathon Deason , Project Investigator, School of Engineering, Engineering Management David Freestone (Visiting), Co-Project Investigator, Environmental Law, GW Law School David Grinlinton (Visiting), Co-Project Investigator, Environmental Law, GW Law School Frederick Joutz , Project Investigator, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, Economics Homayoun Khamooshi, Project Investigator, School of Business, Decision Sciences Stuart Licht, Project Investigator, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, Chemistry Arun Malik , Project Investigator, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, Economics Lee Paddock, Project Investigator, Environmental Law, GW Law School Andrea Sarzynski, Project Investigator, GW Institute of Public Policy Robert Trost, Project Investigator, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, Economics Garry Young, Project Investigator, GW Institute of Public Policy

Graduate Students Hina Ayub, Research Assistant, Chemistry, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences Steven Burns, Co-Project Investigator, School of Engineering, Engineering Management Ariel Castillo, Co-Project Investigator, School of Engineering, Engineering Management Jay Donohue, Environmental Law, GW Law School Tom Fitzgerald, Environmental Resource Policy, Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration Geoffrey Heaven , Research Assistant, Environmental Law, GW Law School Mark Hutson, Research Assistant, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, Economics Peter Linquiti, Co-Project Investigator, Public Policy, Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration Scott Nuzum, Research Assistant, Environmental Law, GW Law School Katherine Ramsey, Environmental Law, GW Law School Tyler Ruthven, Research Assistant, Public Policy, Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration Joshua Sturtevant, Environmental Law, GW Law School

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

Affiliates Adele Ashkar, Associate Professor, Landscape Design Program, College of Professional Studies Michael Duffey, Associate Professor of Engineering Management, School of Engineering Lance Hoffman, Professor Emeritus of Computer Science, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences Stephen Hsu, Professor of Engineering and Applied Science, School of Engineering Melissa Keeley, Assistant Professor of Geography & Public Policy and Public Administration, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences Peter LaPuma, Associate Professor of Environmental & Occupational Health, School of Public Health Stephen Pothier, Research Scientist, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences David Rain, Director of the Environmental Studies Program, Associate Professor of Geography , Columbian College of Arts & Sciences Geralyn Schulz, Associate Dean of Research & Professor of Speech & Hearing, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences Mark Starik, Professor, Chair, Strategic Management and Public Policy, School of Business

III: ENDNOTES 1. See page 15 of the report, available at: http://www.science.doe.gov/bes/reports/files/SEI_rpt.pdf 2. 10.1126/science.1189690 3. S. Licht, "STEP (Solar Thermal Electrochemical Photo) Generation of Energetic Molecules: A Solar Chemical Process to End Anthropogenic Global Warming," Phys. Chem. C., 113 (2009), 16283-1629. 4. Electrochemical Photo) Production of Hydrogen accepted (2010). 5. 61/254,943, filed Oct. 26, 2009. 6. Carbon Dioxide: as an Example of a Process for the Generation of Energy Rich Chemicals at High Solar 7. Disclosure, filed March 29, 2010. 8. S. Licht, B. Want, S. Ghosh, H. Ayub, J. Ganley, "A New Solar Carbon Capture Process: Solar Thermal Electrochemical Photo (STEP) Carbon Capture," J. Phys. Chem. Lett. in press (2010).

GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

-Air Multiple Electron HighGWU Invention Disclosure, filed June 7, 2010.

10.

-Capacity Li-ion Cathode: The Fe (III/VI) Super-

-972 (2010).

11. 12. K. Zweibel, J. Mason, V. Fthenakis, A Solar Grand Plan, Scientific American, January 2008, available at: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=a-solar-grand-plan

Mission The George Washington University Solar Institute researches the economic, technical, and public policy issues associated with the development and deployment of solar energy to meet global energy needs and environmental challenges.

The GW Solar Institute Contact Information 609 22nd Street, NW, Suite 301 Washington, DC 20052 T: 202-994-1965 F: 202-994-0854

research and public events at: http://solar.gwu.edu

The George Washington University Solar Institute researches the economic, technical, and public policy issues associated with the development and deployment of solar energy to meet global energy needs and environmental challenges.