GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2009 by Alex Winn

THE SOLAR REPORT THE GW SOLAR INSTITUTE 2008-2009 ANNUAL REPORT

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2008-2009 Annual Report

Table of Contents MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR ..................................................................................................................................................2 OVERVIEW .............................................................................................................................................................................................4 A SOLAR PERSPECTIVE 2009.............................................................................................................................................................6 MAKING AN IMPACT IN THE SOLAR POLICY ARENA ............................................................................................................8 ADVISING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY .........................................................................................................................................8 WORKING WITH THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES .................................................................................................................................10 ASSISTING THE U.S. CONGRESS.........................................................................................................................................................12 RESEARCHING AND ANALYZING CRITICAL SOLAR ISSUES ..............................................................................................14 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................................................................14 ACHIEVING SIGNIFICANT RESEARCH RESULTS ................................................................................................................................14 PUBLISHING TECHNICAL AND POLICY PAPERS................................................................................................................................19 RAISING AWARENESS OF SOLAR ENERGY ...............................................................................................................................22 LAUNCHING WITH A KICKOFF SYMPOSIUM .....................................................................................................................................22 EDUCATING STAKEHOLDERS THROUGH THE NEWS MEDIA & PRESENTATIONS .........................................................................25 ENGAGING THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE WORLD WIDE WEB ........................................................................................................26 MOVING FORWARD .........................................................................................................................................................................28 APPENDIX I: GOVERNANCE ..........................................................................................................................................................30 CORE STAFF ........................................................................................................................................................................................30 ADVISORY BOARD ..............................................................................................................................................................................30 SCIENTIFIC DIRECTORS ......................................................................................................................................................................30 APPENDIX II: RESEARCH NETWORK ..........................................................................................................................................31 PARTICIPANTS OF THE GW SOLAR INSTITUTE ................................................................................................................................31 AFFILIATES OF THE GW SOLAR INSTITUTE .....................................................................................................................................32

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From the Director October 1, 2009 The Solar Institute has made significant progress during its first year including; an involvement in discussions to shape the direction of the new Administration’s solar policies and establishment of strong working relationships with several key policymakers and organizations in Washington, D.C. In addition, the Institute has delivered important research results on technical, economic, legal and policy issues, and it has increased awareness of solar energy through its education and outreach efforts. The Institute also strengthened its management team with the addition of Debra Jacobson as its Co-Director in September 2009. Debra’s career includes more than 30 years of experience in energy and environmental law and policy, thereby enhancing our ability to successfully pursue the critical interdisciplinary research and analysis necessary in the solar energy arena. Debra’s work included 16 years as a Counsel with the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and several years as a senior advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy of the U.S. Department of Energy. Since 2002, she has taught a course in Energy Law at the GW Law School and worked as an independent consultant on energy, air quality, and climate change. She also is an Advisor to the Renewable Energy and International Law Project, an international policy and law network for clean energy. Debra’s experience will increase our ability to lead research efforts within the GW community as well as to conduct outreach to policymakers and the environmental community. Research and analysis have underscored the fact that solar energy still faces significant challenges, including the need for: •

further cost reductions;

•

development and increased implementation of policies that recognize the societal value of solar energy;

•

major expansion of the interstate transmission grid;

•

creative financing approaches; and

•

successful integration of large amounts of solar power into the electric power system.

2008-2009 Annual Report

As we move into the Instituteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second year, we expect to focus continued attention on the critical economic, technical, policy, and legal research necessary to address these challenges. For example, we expect to map out policy options to more fully capture the value of solar energy (e.g., time-of-use pricing). In addition, we expect to analyze options for new financing approaches that are necessary to help overcome the high upfront costs of solar energy and to address the challenges posed by the intermittent nature of solar energy resources. The next year promises to be just as challenging. We have found that Washington, D.C. is a great place for us. There is a huge interest in solar energy, but an equally large need for objective information. With very large public and private investments and important societal priorities at stake, we must be ready to help provide the necessary information for sound decision-making. Opportunities abound. Chief among them are our work with the Department of Energyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Solar Vision (which is currently reviewing the necessary steps to reach significant levels of solar energy deployment by 2030); partnering with the National Academies of Sciences; and participation in Congressional hearings and discussions with Members of Congress and their staffs, including a continuing dialogue with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (AZ), who is quickly becoming a leader in solar policy. In this spirit, I offer the GW Solar Instituteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Annual Report for our stakeholders, affiliates, and the public to document the progress we have made and the opportunities for the future.

Sincerely, Ken Zweibel Director

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Overview deployment of solar energy, and we have been actively engaged in dialogue with the National Academies, who have been tasked to advise the DOE. The Institute also testified in July 2009 before the Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment of the House Committee on Science and Technology on the need for the development of a new solar research and development (R&D) roadmap. In addition, the Solar Institute has delivered important research results on technical, legal and policy issues, and some of these research results are already contributing to policy initiatives. For example, a project led by a professor and doctoral student in GWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School of

A SOLAR ROADMAP

Engineering and Applied Science has identified

Ken Zweibel and a panel of wind and solar experts

substantial opportunities to develop solar energy use by

testify before the Subcommittee on Energy and the En-

the Department of Defense (DoD) at its facilities and in

vironment of the House Committee on Science and

its non-tactical vehicles. Moreover, GW researchers

Technology, on July 14, 2009.

have worked with prominent policy leaders, including interested Members of Congress, to assist in the development of DoD energy reform policies. GW

We have made a good start in our first year. We have

researchers have provided policy recommendations that

contributed to the development of U.S. solar policy by

are informing legislative initiatives in the 111th Congress.

the new Administration and have established strong

working relationships with several key policymakers and

Our education and outreach efforts also have had a

organizations in Washington, D.C. Our Director is

strong impact. The April 24, 2009 kickoff symposium

participating in a leadership role in the U.S. Department

highlighted the Instituteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to serve as a forum for

of Energyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (DOE) Solar Vision project to accelerate the

research and analysis among top-level policymakers as

2008-2009 Annual Report well as business, academic, and financial leaders in the

readily integrated into the electric grid. Others fear that

solar arena. The event also served to educate the GW

solar energy will cause large increases in their energy

community and outside participants on a broad

bills, and they often do not understand the high value of

spectrum of solar energy issues and challenges. It

solar energy in meeting peak electric demand.

highlighted numerous areas for future academic inquiry

Underlying all these issues is a deep sense of uncertainty

and policy development.

about how solar energy works and how this energy source fits into the total energy picture. We intend to

“We can be a resource for policymakers, we can be a resource for industry, and we can be a resource for universities across the country”

play an important role in answering these types of questions by researching key issues and facilitating public education.

— Peg Barratt, Dean of the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, opening the Solar Institute Kickoff Symposium, April 24, 2009 . During the past year, media outlets, including The Associated Press, ABC Online, Reuters, and The MIT Technology Review, have reported on our work and views. In addition, we have established a growing presence on the World Wide Web through our comprehensive web site and our new blogs. Today, in America, we are only beginning the process of forming a consensus about the role of solar energy in the Nation’s energy future. The challenges we face become apparent when we observe the strident public dialogue on various legislative proposals. Clearly, one contributor to the current lack of consensus about the role of solar energy is the absence of a coherent vision of our country’s energy future and the lack of agreement on key underlying facts. Large-scale use of solar energy seems impossible to many Americans, and many do not understand how an intermittent energy resource can be

A Solar Perspective 2009 For the American public to develop a consensus about the role of solar energy in the Nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s energy future, they must have a clear picture of how solar energy will contribute to solving the critical national problems of improving energy security, combating climate change, and enhancing economic competitiveness. The public is in the process of making a transition from the view of solar energy as â&#x20AC;&#x153;a warm and fuzzyâ&#x20AC;? technology to the reality that the U.S. solar industry will account for large investments of billions (or even tens of billions) of dollars per year. Without a clear vision of the role of solar in this transition, the Nation will not successfully accomplish the necessary paradigm shift.

There is clearly enough solar energy to meet all U.S. electricity needs, and the Institute and others are making progress in convincing individuals to accept the amount of land that solar energy requires. In fact, the land requirements for solar energy are at least 30 times less than hydropower when the artificial lakes behind dams are included. Moreover, the land area is about the same as coal mining but without the damaging environmental impacts of strip mining and mountaintop removal. These facts are helping us to get past the first level of mental dissonance that occurs when people get serious about solar energy.

Moreover, the public is beginning to understand that the cost challenges of solar energy can be overcome and that the variability of solar energy can be managed. The rapid decrease in solar energy costs in the past two years has been striking. Now, solar energy costs are approaching the costs of conventional electric generation in regions of the country with strong solar resources and high daytime electricity prices, and solar energy can now compete more effectively with wind energy for the non-carbon portion of electricity supply that is so important to our future.

Although the intermittency of solar energy poses challenges, experts have found that the solar industry currently can meet this challenge with backup natural gas generation, solar forecasting, and the geographic dispersion of solar energy facilities. In addition, the intermittency challenges are even less with solar thermal electric as compared to solar photovoltaics (PV). Although additional energy storage is likely to be needed at some point, solar deployment can increase substantially before such storage is needed.

2008-2009 Annual Report So what are the significant questions about solar deployment? The energy industry is likely to focus their deployment efforts first on accelerating the use of solar energy where it already is cost-effective. Thus, the Southwest U.S., with a special emphasis on California, is a prime target for early deployment. And, it is expected that solar energy use will increase substantially as solar prices continue to decrease. Thus, it is expected that solar energy use will expand throughout the Southwest, including high demand states like Texas.

At the same time as most large-scale systems are built in the Southwest, solar energy experts expect to see a smaller but important - development of distributed solar energy around the country. It is unclear at this time whether the Nation will need long, high-voltage transmission lines from the Southwest to regions like the Midwest since wind may be the major focus of development in certain regions. Meanwhile, competition between solar and wind energy will occur in places like Texas. The regional breakdown of solar and wind is a key element of a low carbon future and remains open to competitive adjustment. Solar and wind deployment over the next twenty years will result in a significant reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as coal plants and other fossil fuel-fired generators are displaced.

Another key component of solar energy development is the expected transformation of the transportation sector to electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The transition to these vehicles will add substantial new demand for electricity. However, the U.S. should be able to meet this demand with solar and wind energy without building new fossil fuel-fired plants. Increased use of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles will not only remove the greenhouse gases emitted by the Nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s huge vehicle fleet but also reduce the energy security problems and economic costs of relying on imported oil from unstable regions of the world. Supplying electrified transportation with solar and wind energy is a significant market, allowing both clean energy sources to grow significantly without the initial use of electric storage. As vehicles themselves become storage the Nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s need for other means of electric storage may be postponed until about 2030 and provide the U.S. with breathing room to pursue a successful research program to develop low-cost electric storage technology.

Current national policy seeks to substantially reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil and to eliminate a substantial portion of U.S. GHG emissions by 2030. By that time, solar and wind energy should be mature technologies with attractive economics. In addition, by 2030, the U.S. should seek to assure the development and implementation of low-cost electric storage technologies that will be needed to harness solar and wind twenty-four hours a day.

Nothing ever happens exactly as we expect it. But having a coherent picture of an energy future that meets the Nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s energy needs and is both physically and economically feasible is an important step in building a consensus for action. The GW Solar Institute is considering the economic, legal, and technical issues to inform this discussion.

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Making an Impact in the Solar Policy Arena ADVISING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

SOLAR VISION STEERING COMMITTEE COMMITTEE SOLAR Sam Baldwin Julie Blunden

solar energy program of the U.S. DOE, and our expertise

Barry Cinnamon Martha Duggan Charlie Gay Rick Gilliam

has been sought by these officials. This important

Nathanael Greene

During the past year, the Institute has developed a strong working relationship with senior officials involved in the

advisory role is epitomized by an invitation to participate on the Steering Committee of the DOE’s “Solar Vision”

Julia Hamm Charlie Hanley

study and to lead the drafting of a key chapter on system cost reduction. The Solar Vision study represents a

Dan Kammen

major effort of the DOE to develop a far more aggressive deployment approach for solar energy in serving U.S.

Tom Key

electricity needs. The study is intended to inform key

Josh Linn

policy decisions by the new Secretary of Energy, Stephen

John Lushetsky Robert Margolis JoAnn Milliken Fred Morse John Mucci Terry Murphy Les Nelson

Chu, the Congress, and other policymakers. The goal of the Solar Vision study this study is to define possible scenarios for solar deployment in the U.S. through 2030. The expert panel is studying several scenarios, starting with 10% and 20% deployment as a

Steve O'Rourke

fraction of total electricity use in 2030. The DOE study

Rick Reed Rhone Resch David Rubin Eric Silagy Kathy Weiss Ryan Wiser Ken Zweibel

also will address technical, economic, and policy challenges impeding solar deployment and recommend actions to address such challenges.

Chief Technology Officer, EERE, DOE VP, PP & Corporate Relations, SunPower CEO, Akeena Solar VP, Government Affairs, Uni-Solar President, Applied Materials VP, Government Affairs, SunEdison Director of Renewable Energy Policy, NRDC Executive Director, SEPA Sandia National Laboratory, Solar Program Leader Professor, UC-Berkeley, Director, Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory Technology Lead, Renewable Energy, EPRI Massachusetts Institute of Technology Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, DOE Senior Solar Analyst, NREL Acting Solar Program Manager, DOE Senior US Advisor, Abengoa Solar VP, Energy & Planning, ConEdison President, Solar Reserve President, Western RE Group Managing Director, Deutsche Bank Securities President, SunEarth President & CEO, SEIA Director of Service Analysis, PG&E VP & Chief Development Officer, FPL VP, Government Relations, First Solar Staff Scientist, LBNL Institute Director, GW SolarSolar Institute, GWU

2008-2009 Annual Report DOE is modeling its Solar Vision study on a similar study that the Department released in 2008 for its wind energy program. The 2008 report, titled “20% Wind Energy by 2030,” has provided an ambitious vision for wind energy deployment in America, and the Solar Vision is expected to do the same for solar energy.1 At the invitation of GW alumnus, John Lushetsky, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency of the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), the Institute’s Director is participating on the Steering Committee of the DOE Solar

FIGURE 1 The falling cost of photovoltaics is central to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Vision

Vision along with a blue ribbon panel of national experts.

questions about the economic potential of existing PV

(See above sidebar for a listing of the members of the

technologies.

Steering Committee). A draft report is due early in 2010. An adaptation of Figure 1 is likely to be included in the In addition, the Director of the GW Solar Institute has

cost reduction chapter of the Solar Vision. This

been tasked to lead the drafting of the chapter on cost

important history of PV module cost reduction includes

reduction of photovoltaic (PV) technologies, an essential

an update from a 2008 estimate and highlights the return

part of the strategy to achieve rapid solar deployment.

of PV prices to their traditional cost reduction slope after

The Director is drawing on his extensive experience in

a period of shortage that temporarily distorted prices. It

research on PV technologies at the National Renewable

also includes the addition of a new curve for thin film PV

Energy Laboratory to structure this critical chapter.

cost reduction. Figure 1 demonstrates the potential for achieving very low PV prices, which will help guide the

The value of guiding the Solar Vision report with

deployment schedule of the Solar Vision.

in-depth technical knowledge is underscored by Figure 1, which can be used to estimate the pace and probability of

The Institute also plans to provide information from our

achieving low price goals. The figure highlights the

first-year research projects to solar experts leading other

successful past reduction of PV module prices with

key chapters of the DOE’s Solar Vision. These other

increasing production volumes. It was presented

chapters involve policy, deployment models, integration

recently by several members of the Solar Vision review panel to the Secretary of Energy in response to his

with the electric grid, facility siting, environmental impacts, and solar financing. For example, information from our legal research has been provided to the Solar

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Vision team drafting the policy chapter, and the work of

WORKING WITH THE NATIONAL

the Institute’s Scientific Director, Professor Denis Cioffi,

ACADEMIES

and Professor Homayoun Khamooshi of the GW School of Business may be valuable in comparing costs of various possible deployment trajectories. Both research projects are described in more detail later in this document.

The GW Solar Institute has benefited by the participation on our Advisory Board of a key leader at the National Academies, Charles Wessner. He is recognized

The Solar Vision is expected to capture most of the key challenges facing solar energy as it matures from a minor contributor to world energy supplies to one of the largest industries on Earth. The Institute plans to give careful consideration to the Solar Vision study as we refine our own priorities during the coming year.

internationally for his expertise in innovation policy, public-private partnerships, and government efforts to support entrepreneurship. He is Director of the Program on Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship as well as Study Director of the Small Business Innovation Research Program at the National Academies.

In addition to the Solar Vision, we are engaged in ongoing discussions with senior officials involved in the DOE’s solar program, including Sam Baldwin, Chief Technology Officer for EERE, who presented at our

At Dr. Wessner’s invitation, the Institute’s Director participated in three important meetings of the National Academies focusing on solar energy:

Kickoff Symposium; and Henry Kelly, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for EERE. We are discussing a broad

•

range of topics, including DOE and EERE priorities, PV technologies, solar commercialization, DOE’s national

and Opportunities” (July 29, 2008); •

laboratories (the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Sandia), and the future of the new ARPA E program. These dialogues are very important as the Solar Energy

“Making Big Solar Work: Achievements, Challenges, “The Future of PV Manufacturing in the United States“ (April 23, 2009); and

•

“Partnering for Photovoltaic Manufacturing in the United States” (July 29, 2009).2

Technologies Program is redirected under the Administration.

These three meetings at the National Academies are part of a re-assessment of the status and direction of the

Our advisory role with the U.S. Department of Energy is

DOE’s Solar Energy Technologies Program. The results

just beginning. We are hopeful that GW scholarship will

of these meetings are expected to play a role on framing

become increasingly influential in informing DOE’s

the options and choices of the Administration.

policy decisions and in accelerating solar development in America.

At the July 2008 meeting exploring large-scale solar, the participants examined in detail the opportunities available for solar energy to serve as a major source of

2008-2009 Annual Report U.S. electricity. The Institute’s Director extended the

The Director’s presentation on this subject was covered

discussion beyond solar thermal electric to include PV

by the MIT Technology Review. In addition, it was

and provided up-to-date cost information, assuring a

subsequently part of a briefing to Energy Secretary Chu

more inclusive and realistic assessment.

by other participants of the meeting of the National Academies as well as representatives of First Solar and

At the National Academies’ first PV manufacturing

Applied Materials.

meeting in April 2009, the Director presented a review of the status of PV manufacturing worldwide, emphasizing

In addition, the GW Solar Institute played a valuable role

that past government policies in various countries had

in helping the National Academies involve key leaders of

defined the technology status, manufacturing presence

the U.S. PV industry in their meetings. These

and deployment in each region. Crystalline and thin film

individuals included: First Solar’s Chief Executive Officer,

silicon technologies are favored in Europe and Asia,

Mike Ahearn; UniSolar’s Chief Technology Officer

whereas the U.S. dominates in cadmium telluride

(CTO), Subhendu Guha; and First Solar’s CTO, Dave

technology because of U.S. government R&D focus on

Eaglesham. These U.S. PV leaders contributed essential

that material.

expertise, perspective, realism, and credibility.

During the past decade, markets for solar power and

The National Academies is an exceptionally important

solar module manufacturing have flourished in Europe

part of the solar dialogue in our Nation’s capital. We are

and Japan due to government incentives. However, such

fortunate to have Chuck Wessner as a member of our

markets and manufacturing have trailed in the U.S.

Advisory Board and look forward to continued fruitful

because of a lack of Federal incentives. Thus, the single

collaborations.

most important actor worldwide in spurring solar markets and manufacturing has been the government. At the National Academies’ second PV manufacturing meeting in July 2009, the paths forward for accelerating PV R&D were examined , making the case that today’s leading technologies are capable of meeting ambitious low-cost goals. In comparison, others have argued that breakthrough technologies are needed to reach such goals. The choice between these two visions is an important one for the federal government because of the impact on funding priorities. There is no question that research on improved solar energy technologies is welcome. However, the problem is that research on the most promising and high-value solar energy technologies is suffering from neglect.

“Your participation was an important element in the success of the conference and a major contribution to the quality of the discussion. Please accept our sincerest thanks for your willingness to contribute your exceptional expertise to this timely and policy relevant conference.” — E-mail from Charles Wessner to Ken Zweibel, concerning the July 29, 2009 PV Conference of the National Academies.

The

GW Solar Institute September 17, 2009, Representative Giffords introduced legislation, H.R. 3585, in the House of Representatives to direct the Department of Energy to develop such a roadmap. The Director’s testimony also provided a valuable source of information to the Members of the Subcommittee about the important future role of solar energy as a largescale source of electricity. No other witnesses at the hearing explained that large centralized solar plants would likely provide a much greater source of electricity than rooftop solar. Moreover, no other witnesses explained that solar PV is already quite competitive with

ASSISTING THE U.S. CONGRESS During its first year of operation, the Institute also began

solar thermal electric systems for such markets.

GIFFORDS FOR SOLAR

to make its mark in Congressional policy deliberations. The Director built important relationships with

U.S Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has lit up the

Members of Congress and their staffs, and he has

GW Solar Institute with her optimism to help solve our

contributed to both the informing functions and policy-

nation’s critical energy problems. She participated in

making functions of the Congress.

the Kickoff Symposium and meetings of the National Academies, and she catalyzed our dialogue with

On July 14, 2009, the Director testified before the

Congressional staff members.

Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment of the House Committee on Science and Technology at a

The Congresswoman has been deeply involved in

hearing on solar and wind energy. 3 The Director’s

pursuing the development of solar energy in the U.S.

testimony focused on the desirability of developing a

and in her state. On the House Science and Technology

technical roadmap for solar energy -- a subject also

Committee, she has promoted an agenda of energy

covered in the July 29, 2009 meeting of the National

independence and solar initiatives in an effort to make

Academies attended by the Director and Representative

Southern Arizona the “Solar-con Valley" of the

Giffords. The testimony stressed that a narrowly defined

Nation. She is also Vice Chair of the Sustainable Energy

roadmap would be premature, since solar is in an early

and Environment Coalition.

stage of innovation where new materials and designs are being created. Instead, our Director strongly recommended a high-level roadmap based on key metrics of cost, performance, and reliability. On

In her district, she launched a Community Solar Energy Initiative to mobilize support and action for the

2008-2009 Annual Report increased use of solar energy. This effort led to the

In the current fiscal environment, it is, of course,

passage of the Solar Energy Research and Advancement

important to evaluate any new tax incentives for solar

Act of 2007 (H.R. 2774), which encourages R&D and the

power in terms of cost-effectiveness. Therefore, the GW

training of a solar installation workforce. Giffords also

Solar Institute plans to use the framework for evaluating

fought for the eight-year extension of the solar

solar policies that it currently has under development

investment tax credit, enacted by Congress in October, 2008.

(see research projects below) to assess the relative effectiveness of this proposal and other options in stimulating solar investment.

In addition, Members of Congress have begun to seek the Instituteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expertise in drafting energy legislation. For example, the Office of Representative Giffords has engaged in a dialogue with the Instituteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Director about approaches to enhance the financing of solar PV. One idea is to treat income from the operations of PV systems as tax-free. It may be possible to package system ownership as either tax-free annuities or listed shares of Solar Royalty Trusts, similar in concept to real estate investment trusts (REITs), which allow for investment in real estate as mutual funds provide for investment in stocks. Americans could have access to a new, low-risk but high-yield investment for their savings while catalyzing the solar market. This approach would widen the source of potential investors to a much larger group than those receiving the benefits of the existing solar investment tax credits and would make returns on such investments tax-free. As a result, this policy could achieve a lower cost of money for solar installations, eliminating the dependence on special tax-equity investors. PV systems are especially attractive for such investments because they are extremely simple and inexpensive to operate, are long-lived (perhaps exceeding 50 years), and they have no fuel price escalation risks.

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Researching and Analyzing Critical Issues INTRODUCTION

one to three principal investigators, and many of these teams included support from the University’s graduate

The location of the Solar Institute at The George

and undergraduate students. Thus, our projects provide

Washington University takes advantage of the unique

the dual benefits of researching key issues and also

character of the university and its Washington, D.C.

training the next generation of energy researchers.

location. Our research accomplishments during the first year reflect the leadership of our faculty in key

ACHIEVING SIGNIFICANT RESEARCH

disciplines and the policy benefits of working in the

RESULTS

Nation’s capital. During our first year, a variety of projects funded by the Our research work from 2008 to 2009 covered a wide

Institute achieved significant research results. Moreover,

range of disciplines, from science and technology (e.g.,

some have the potential to influence current policy

electrical and systems engineering, engineering

deliberations.

management, and chemistry) to business (e.g., economics, decision sciences, and environmental and

Analyzing the Solar Potential of the Department

energy management) as well as energy and

of Defense

environmental law and policy.

One of the most important projects in terms of research and policy outcomes has been “The Determination of the

The Solar Institute’s first action in the fall of 2008 was

Renewable and Solar Energy Transition Potential of

the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to the GW

Department of Defense (DoD) Facilities and Non-

community. The RFP addressed many aspects of solar

Tactical Vehicles.” Led by Jonathan Deason, Lead

energy, including economics, public policy, power

Professor in the Environmental and Energy Management

management, and solar deployment. After an extensive

Program of the GW School of Engineering and Applied

review process with the help of the Research Advisory

Science, the project is the focus of the doctoral

Board of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, we

dissertation research of his PhD candidate, Ariel

awarded funding to ten of the sixteen proposals.

Castillo. In addition to important technical findings, the research team has worked with senior industry and

The research teams that received funding consisted of

government leaders to inform national policy.

2008-2009 Annual Report Research conducted under this project has included a review of the solar energy potential of land under DoD control and the energy requirements for DoD facilities and non-tactical vehicles. Preliminary results indicate that the DoD would need to set aside less than one percent of its land area to meet all these energy requirements from solar energy. Currently, the researchers are conducting a system-level study to model facility energy requirements, carbon dioxide emissions, and the solar energy potential of each of the two hundred major DoD bases in the continental U.S.

EXPANDING THE USE OF SOLAR ENERGY The researchers already have highlighted the

BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

vulnerabilities of DoD’s current energy sources to potential power outages from terrorist activity, natural

“The United States Department of Defense (DoD) is the

disasters, cyber attacks or simple grid overload. They

largest single energy consumer in the Nation, represent-

also have documented how solar energy could help

ing about 80% of the Federal sector demand…. The DoD

overcome these energy security challenges through the

could directly meet mission requirements by investing in

creation of “electrical islands” on DoD bases. According

solar energy technologies. First, investments in solar en-

to a recent interim report prepared by the researchers,

ergy technologies could help the DoD meet current Fed-

these electrical islands are created when DoD bases are

eral policy goals to reduce energy consumption and CO2

separated from the main electrical grid and instead rely

emissions as stated in Executive Order 13423. Second,

on a renewable energy source for power. Thus, islanding

future investments in solar energy technologies could

could improve the mission readiness of the DoD, assist in meeting vulnerability challenges in the electric grid, and help reduce DoD’s carbon footprint. In conducting their study, the researchers have worked

limit DoD dependency on foreign fossil fuel resources, including foreign oil. Additionally, DoD investment in solar energy would act as a catalyst and market driver of technologies.”

with prominent policy leaders to assist in the

- Preliminary findings of GW doctoral student, Ariel

development of DoD energy reform policies. They have

Castillo, and Professor Jonathan Deason, August 2009.

provided policy recommendations that are informing legislative initiatives in the 111th Congress.

Researching Key Legal Issues to Support Solar Expansion Important research findings also have emerged from the work of Lee Paddock, Associate Dean for Environmental Studies at the GW Law School, and his research

The

GW Solar Institute

colleagues. Their research project, titled “A Legal

The GW legal team’s research has highlighted legislative

Framework to Support Rapid Expansion of Solar

and regulatory approaches taken by several states to

Energy,” has uncovered important legal issues that can

overcome this “public utility” issue. For example, in

impede solar development, and the legal team has

2009, Colorado enacted legislation to ensure that third-

presented some valuable options available to address

party providers (that supply no more than 120% of the

these obstacles.

average annual consumption of an on-site electricity consumer) will not be subject to regulation as “public

One problematic trend highlighted by Dean Paddock’s

utilities” under State law. Moreover, the Public Utility

research is the fact that eight states have considered or

Commissions in both Oregon and Nevada have

are currently considering the extension of burdensome

considered this question, and they have determined that

public utility rules to independent third-party providers

third-party providers are not public utilities under their

that contract with energy consumers to install and

State utility laws. Numerous additional States are likely

operate solar energy facilities. These states have

to consider this issue, and the Institute can play a

reviewed or are reviewing whether the third-party

valuable role in working with organizations, such as the

providers should be treated as a “public utilities” under

National Association of Regulatory Utility Commission-

state law.

ers (the national association of utility commissioners based in Washington, D.C.) to overcome the challenge

The third-party providers have been essential in helping

posed by this significant legal issue.

to finance solar energy projects but the “public utility” treatment could seriously impede such development. If

Another important solar priority is the development of

the third-party provider is treated as a “public utility,”

legal approaches to streamline the siting of solar energy

such action could make existing business models

systems and new transmission lines. Dean Paddock and

unattractive because of the high costs and extensive

his legal team have highlighted valuable precedents that

regulatory requirements associated with treatment as a

could help overcome these siting obstacles. These

public utility.

precedents involve natural gas pipeline projects as well as certain transmission projects. One contribution that the Institute could make to accelerate the commercialization of solar energy is to outline the lessons learned in successful project siting in order to reduce the possibility that siting conflicts will seriously delay or kill important new solar facilities. Modeling the Solar Grand Plan to Facilitate Large-Scale Deployment Two Solar Institute projects are seeking to inform the deployment concepts presented in the Solar Grand Plan

2008-2009 Annual Report (and its updates) through enhanced computer tools. 4

levels, carbon dioxide emissions, and societal costs. As

For example, “A Linear Programming Model to Support

such, the model provides a user-friendly, flexible tool for

Development and Maintenance of a Solar Grand Plan

comparing different rates of solar deployment. Almost

Deployment Schedule” is applying manufacturing, cost,

any deployment can be designed and characterized,

resource, development, and regulatory limitations to the

which allows the use of the model for estimating first-

proposed solar power build-out discussed in the Solar

order costs and carbon dioxide emission reductions. We

Grand Plan. Competing interests are balanced with a

are working to refine the model so that it can assist in the

linear programming model to provide an optimized

DOE Solar Vision project. In addition, we are likely to

project plan. This optimized plan will detail a defensible,

extend the model to a web-based tool in 2010.

phased build-out schedule for solar PV and other renewable energy generation and associated

Analyzing Current Economic Models

transmission infrastructure in the United States over the

Another ongoing research project (“The Economics of

next 40 years. The model will enable planners to develop

Solar Electricity Generation”) has identified significant

a realistic deployment schedule that balances power price

weaknesses in the solar energy assumptions underlying

increases and construction timeframes with growth in

the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS), the

installed solar and other renewable energy capacity. This

major energy forecasting model used by the U.S. Energy

project is working to identify key “choke points” for

Information Administration (EIA) to forecast future U.S.

large-scale solar energy integration and provide an

energy sources. For example, NEMS assumes that PV

optimized year-by-year plan for upgrading transmission

modules use only crystalline silicon technology. In fact,

for these areas.

NEMS parameterizes PV costs by the cost of feedstock silicon! Thus, NEMS ignores the actual use of thin film

Researchers Professor Denis Cioffi and Professor

PV technology, including technologies based on

Homayoun Khamooshi are taking a different approach

cadmium telluride, which are in a very significant

to assist in the planning of large-scale solar deployment.

position in the market.

Using differential equations, they are modeling how solar, wind and traditional electricity generation sources

Flaws in the EIA’s NEMS model are extremely

would compete and would be deployed as solar costs

significant because they can skew decision-making.

decrease during the next thirty years. Their project, titled

NEMS is the primary source of energy forecast

“Integrating the Grand Solar Scenario,” is designed to

information for policymakers in the legislative and

provide deployment scenarios for any combination of

executive branches of government, and Congress relies

solar, wind, and conventional technologies, based on

on the analyses of the EIA in legislative decisions in areas

their relative costs, including consideration of

ranging from climate policy to policies involving a

transmission and local sunlight.

national Renewable Portfolio Standard. Therefore, the identification and revision of any errors in the NEMS

The deployment scenarios resulting from the Cioffi/

model are of great policy significance.

Khamooshi model are measured by relative deployment

The

GW Solar Institute zero fuel costs and simple technology that lasts indefinitely (with only minor output reductions). The Institute will perform further research on the value of

End of loan payment

solar PV using this approach in the coming year, aided by the web-based tool being developed under this project. Analyzing Solar Policies at the Federal and State Level Two Solar Institute projects are focusing on solar policies at the federal and state level. One project, led by Dr. Joseph Cordes, Associate Director GWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration, is developing a policy framework that: (1) summarizes the case for public intervention to promote the use of solar

FIGURE 2 Most power plants in the U.S. operate for very long periods. PV can operate indefinitely with only minor output reductions. Using such assumptions, PV outperforms all other sources of electricity over the long haul due to its zero fuel costs and simplicity of operation.

power; (2) develops a typology of different policy options available for encouraging wider and more rapid use of solar technologies; (3) proposes criteria for evaluating competing policy options; and (4) analyzes some representative examples of policies. To illustrate the application of the solar policy

Developing User-Friendly Economic Tools

framework, the researchers will apply it to evaluate two

Another project funded by the Solar Institute is

cases: (1) the aforementioned proposal to allow

developing a user-friendly, web tool to evaluate the

investments in solar arrays to be bundled into financial

relative economics of PV and all other electricity sources.

assets exempt from individual taxation, and (2) the

The tool includes the potential to examine the economics

interaction between tax and regulatory policies following

of power plants for a period of up to 100 years. This long

the recent extension of the solar investment tax credit to

operating life is actually quite characteristic of U.S.

public utilities.

electricity plants, since most are refurbished and continue to operate indefinitely.

The policy framework paper also intends to examine the impact of various combinations of federal and state tax

An initial analysis of such long-lived systems, as shown

incentives. A potentially useful tool for this purpose is

in figure 2, indicates the cost-competitiveness of even

the most recent version of the NREL Solar Advisory

todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PV systems over the 100-year operating life of

Model (SAM), which added a tax incentives module in

fossil fuel-fired and nuclear power plants. PV systems

June 2009. Preliminary attempts to use the module to

shine in such a comparison, since these systems involve

examine the financial impact of various tax incentives

2008-2009 Annual Report have revealed some potential anomalies with the model,

methodologies used to analyze the benefits of solar

and Dr. Cordes will work with NREL staff to assure that

energy (as well as other renewable energy sources) in

the latest version of SAM can be used effectively to simu-

reducing emissions of greenhouse gases (e.g., carbon

late the impacts of various tax and financial incentives.

dioxide) and conventional pollutants (e.g., nitrogen oxides). The Co-Director and her co-author have found

Researching Improved Processes for Hydrogen

that the most commonly used methodology for

Conversion

quantifying avoided emissions greatly understates the

Finally, another project is exploring the economics of a

emission reduction benefits of solar energy. Since

novel hybrid method (called STEP) for the centralized

several of our researchers are evaluating the carbon

production of hydrogen gas by electrolysis using

dioxide reduction potential of their scenarios, the

photovoltaic electricity and solar heat. Preliminary

sharing of information across disciplines will strengthen

project results from the STEP project indicate that this

their research results.

hybrid process could cut the cost of producing hydrogen from solar energy by approximately half versus very optimistic solar PV assumptions. Moreover, this hybrid process could decrease the land area required for a solar

PUBLISHING TECHNICAL AND POLICY PAPERS

hydrogen plant by a factor of five compared to traditional PV-driven electrolysis.

During the past year, the Director of the Solar Institute and project investigators completed several papers and

Professor Stuart Licht of our sister institute at GW, The Institute for Basic Energy Science and Technology, has applied for a patent on this STEP process, and the GW Solar Institute is helping him contact leaders in the solar industry who might want to collaborate on the

articles. These papers and articles, which have been published or posted on the Institute’s web site, include the following: •

Grand Plan: Solar as a Solution,” Sun and Wind

commercialization of STEP. STEP also can be adapted to facilitate the splitting of carbon dioxide into its separate elements and for processing highly energy-

K. Zweibel, V. Fthenakis, J. Mason, “The Solar Energy, #4, 2008, pp.112-117.

•

K. Zweibel, V. Fthenakis, J. Mason. “The Technical, Geographical, and Economic Feasibility for Solar

intensive chemicals. Both of these applications are

Energy to Supply the Energy Needs of the U.S.,”

drawing attention from the private sector.

Energy Policy, 2008. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2008.08.01 Developing Interdisciplinary Connections Among

•

K. Zweibel, V. Fthenakis, J. Mason, T. Hansen, T.

Projects

Nikolakakis. “Coupling PV and CAES Power Plants

As our funded research projects proceed, we are

to Transform Intermittent PV Electricity into a

developing interdisciplinary connections among them.

Dispatchable Electricity Source.” Progress in

For example, our new Co-Director has co-authored a

Photovoltaics: Research and Applications 16, 2008,

recent report for the DOE comparing the various

pp. 1-20. doi: 10.1002/pip.858.

The • •

GW Solar Institute

Sarzynski, A. “State Policy Experimentation with

Krausz, B. “Support for solar power and renewable

Financial Incentives for Solar Energy,” 2008.

electricity generation at the U.S. Environmental

Grinlinton, D. “Legal and Policy Framework for

Protection Agency.” Diss. The George Washington

Solar Energy in Germany, Spain, Japan, China and

University, 2009. - WRLC, ProQuest.

Australia,” 2009. •

•

K. Zweibel, “Multi-Gigawatt Thin Film PV,”34th

Grinlinton, D. “Achieving Emissions Reduction and

IEEE PV Specialists Conference, Philadelphia, PA,

Renewable Energy Targets: The Case for Feed-in

June 8, 2009.

Tariffs,” LexisNexis Resource Management Bulletin, 2009, pp. 68-74.

The first three papers relate to the Solar Grand Plan that was first discussed by the Institute’s Director and two coauthors in an article in Scientific American in January 2008. These recent papers elaborated on the details of the Grand Plan with respect to the engineering and economics of the interconnected system of storage and transmission that would support the distribution of lowcost solar electricity from the Southwest to other regions of the country. Key analysis concerned the properties of high-voltage direct current transmission and compressed air energy storage. High-voltage direct current transmission is a low-loss transmission line with attractive economics for long-distance transmission, and compressed air energy storage is one of the few current means of storing bulk electricity that is both relatively economical and can achieve the scale needed to match national needs. The combination of large-scale solar power, high-voltage direct current transmission and compressed air energy storage may provide a power system capable of dispatching solar electricity at an acceptable price throughout the year and at every hour of the day. However, more near-term refinements of the plan suggest that bulk electricity storage will not be needed until we reach a significant level of deployment. This and other “Grand Plan” refinements have been the subject of numerous Institute presentations.

2008-2009 Annual Report The reports of Andrea Sarzynski and David Grinlinton

cost in PV, with modules under $1 per watt in cost. The

are preliminary findings in their surveys of state and

paper concluded that these important trends are masked

international solar incentive programs. Their summaries

by the use of the generic term “thin film PV,” and these

are timely since the U.S. Congress is considering several

trends have important implications for future PV costs.

major pieces of legislation to stimulate the growth of

The paper also clarified the competitive position of CdTe

solar energy. Further publications by project

and crystalline silicon.

investigators are anticipated as their work is completed during the coming months. In addition, David Grinlinton published article in a New Zealand journal was informed by his work with the Solar Institute. The Krausz thesis paper evaluated the preparedness of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the coming growth in solar energy and its related infrastructure. Our Director served as thesis advisor to Brian Krausz, a Masters of Science student in GW’s School of Engineering and Applied Science. Advising graduate research is an important part of the Institute’s mission. The final paper listed above was presented by the Director at the IEEE PV Specialist’s Conference, and it provided an up-to-date assessment of the state of thin film PV. The paper emphasized the important differences among the various thin film technologies. It explained that amorphous silicon, the oldest commercial thin film technology, is still hampered by low solar conversion efficiencies, while noting that the copper indium diselenide technology, the most efficient thin film technology, continues to be hampered by manufacturing challenges. In comparison, the Director emphasized that cadmium telluride (CdTe) technology provides both attractive sunlight-to-electricity conversion efficiencies and low-cost manufacturing, and it is rapidly moving ahead with both large commercial deployment (over 1 gigawatt cumulative) and the lowest

The

Solar

Institute

Raising Awareness of Solar Energy LAUNCHING WITH A KICKOFF SYMPOSIUM “SOLAR ENERGY: A SOLUTION TO ENERGY

•

business, philanthropy, and renewable energy; •

symposium on the key theme of solar energy as a

Energy Industries Association and the Solar Electric Power Association; •

The April 24 symposium highlighted the Institute’s

most important federal energy agencies; •

Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable

among top-level policymakers as well as business, event also served to educate the GW community and

Energy; •

for future academic inquiry and policy development.

Robert Margolis, Senior Analyst at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Nation’s pre-

outside participants on a broad spectrum of solar energy issues and challenges, and it highlighted numerous areas

Sam Baldwin and John Lushetsky, senior officials involved in solar issues in the Department of

ability to serve as a key forum for research and analysis academic, and financial leaders in the solar arena. The

Jon Wellinghoff, the Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), one of the

potential solution to two of our most worrisome challenges: climate change and energy self-sufficiency.

Rhone Resch and Julie Hamm, Executive Directors of the two leading solar trade associations, the Solar

AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS?” On April 24, 2009, the Solar Institute held its kickoff

Ted Turner, a leading figure in international

miere renewable energy laboratory; •

Richard Perez, Professor of the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center at the State University of New York at Albany and one of the most prominent

The speakers at the symposium included prominent solar experts: •

Stephen O’Rourke, Managing Director of Deutsche Bank Securities and one of the top financial analysts

Parliament and leader in promoting the legislation

in the solar energy arena; and

deployment, the so-called feed-in tariff;

•

Hans-Josef Fell, a Member of the German central to Germany’s successful solar energy

•

solar researchers in the country;

•

Karin Corfee and Wilson Rickerson, top consultants in the field of solar energy incentives.

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, a member of the Science and Technology Committee of the U.S.

The presenters at the symposium discussed the

House of Representatives and a solar energy leader;

tremendous potential for solar industry growth and the

2008-2009 Annual Report enormous solar resource available in the U.S. and worldwide. For example, Hans-Josef Fell spoke of the rapid growth of solar energy in Germany -- electricity generation from solar PV increased 60% between 2006 and 2007. Richard Perez highlighted the enormous potential of solar energy as he stressed: “It would take one-third of one percent of U.S. land area to produce all the electricity in the United States.” In contrast, he noted that hydropower already covers 1% of U.S. land area (when the lakes behind dams are included) while only producing seven percent of U.S. electricity needs. The participants at the symposium also agreed that solar technology and deployment have advanced rapidly in recent years in a broad range of markets. For example, they noted that solar plants of 1 Megawatt (MW) in capacity were rare in the U.S. just a few years ago but that numerous U.S. solar plants in the 100+ MW range have been announced in the past year, and a few produce even more than 1 gigawatt.

THE SOLAR ENERGY OPPORTUNITY Ted Turner spoke passionately about his vision for solar energy and offered his support to the Institute stating: “I’m excited about the Solar Institute here at The George Washington University because the Institute is really thinking big about the issues that need to be addressed

The symposium participants discussed recommendations to overcome challenges currently impeding rapid expansion of solar energy. One of the major areas of discussion involved financial incentives, particularly feed -in tariffs. Parliamentarian Fell highlighted the

for solar to be a large source of our country’s energy needs….” -Presentation of Ted Turner, GW Solar Institute, Kickoff Symposium, April 24, 2009.

extremely successful implementation of feed-in tariff

first federal legislation in this area. Until recently, the

legislation in Germany. This legislation helped to spur

U.S. has relied almost exclusively on State Renewable

solar energy production in that country to the highest

Portfolio Standards (RPS) laws (currently in about

levels of any nation in the world and also catalyzed an

three-fifths of the States) and Federal Investment Tax

investment in solar PV production that has resulted in

Credits (only in recent years).

major cost reductions and technical innovations. Wilson Rickerson underscored the fact that many feedOther speakers at the symposium summarized the

in tariff policies have been implemented to supplement

growing consideration of feed-in tariffs in the U.S. at the

State RPS laws (rather than as a substitute for such laws).

state and local levels and noted the introduction of the

He also cited the potential for using feed-in tariffs in tar-

The

GW Solar Institute

geted areas, such as: (1) helping to fund new

expansion of the interstate high-voltage transmission

transmission lines; (2) funding the extra cost of “smart

grid. Commissioner Wellinghoff emphasized that

grid” enhancements; and (3) facilitating distributed solar

existing high-level transmission lines were concentrated

generation and community ownership. Rhone Resch

on the East and West Coast. As a result, he explained

also stressed the benefits of feed-in tariffs in providing a

that such transmission lines needed substantial

low-cost implementation option for utility compliance

expansion to link the strong solar resource base of the

with RPS laws because of the utility’s ability to receive

Southwest U.S. to high population centers outside that

funding through its rate base.

region. Wellinghoff highlighted the reforms undertaken by FERC in the transmission arena, and he described the

Julia Hamm provided important lessons learned based

legislative and regulatory changes that are necessary to

on her experience working with the utility industry on

spur a substantial expansion in high-voltage interstate

solar energy issues, and she stressed the need for

transmission, including improved transmission

education of the electric utility industry as a key

planning, siting, and cost allocation.

component of advancing feed-in tariffs and other solar policy initiatives. She highlighted the example of the

Several symposium speakers discussed the need for

aggressive effort to advance feed-in tariffs by the

creative financing to help overcome the high upfront

municipal utility in Gainesville, Florida, following an

capital costs of solar energy. Ted Turner underscored

educational trip to Germany organized by the Solar

the importance of financing issues, and Commissioner

Electric Industries Association.

Wellinghoff emphasized the need for innovation in this area. He noted his expectation that there would be a

Mr. Rickerson also emphasized a significant potential

time “in the not too distant future” when it will be

challenge that might impede the adoption of feed-in

cheaper to roll the cost of solar into one’s mortgage than

tariffs. In a recent proceeding undertaken by the

to pay for electric service from conventional energy

California Public Utility Commission (CA PUC),

sources.

Southern California Edison asserted that the CA PUC

lacks legal authority to pursue feed-in tariffs because

Another challenge noted by the speakers was the current

wholesale price-setting authority has been vested in the

cost premium for solar energy compared to traditional

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and the

electricity sources in most parts of the country.

CA PUC is preempted from asserting such authority.

However, Richard Perez presented slides highlighting

This legal issue required further analysis, and GW Law

that many benefits of solar energy are not monetized in

School’s energy and environmental law faculty, including

cost models. These benefits include environmental

the first General Counsel of the Federal Energy

health benefits, carbon reduction benefits, fuel price

Regulatory Commission, have already begun this

hedge protection, the reduced potential for blackouts on

important work and have identified some important

high electric demand days, transmission line loss savings,

policy options. A second major challenge outlined at the

transmission and distribution deferral values, and other

kickoff symposium was the need for substantial

factors. Moreover, Stephen O’Rourke projected

2008-2009 Annual Report substantial progress in achieving cost reductions in various solar technologies in the next four to six years. Finally, the variability of solar energy was cited as another challenge. The Institute’s Director underscored the results of a recent study of the North American

•

Giornale de Sicilia

Electric Reliability Corporation that described the ability

•

Legambiente Magazine

of the electric grid to handle the intermittent nature of

•

IDF Radio

renewable resources. In addition, Richard Perez

•

The Jerusalem Post

highlighted improved forecasting tools that can enhance

•

GW’s Planet Forward with Frank Sesno, which was

predictability of the solar resource in the face of

aired nationwide by PBS.

intermittency. He also explained how greater system stability can be achieved when many solar plants are

In recent months, many reporters have begun to seek the

distributed throughout a region.

Institute’s advice and perspective on technical questions before publishing news stories on solar energy. For

EDUCATING STAKEHOLDERS THROUGH THE NEWS MEDIA AND PRESENTATIONS Public education is a key element to achieving the market transformation needed for solar energy development, and therefore, the accomplishment of the Institute’s mission depends to some extent on our presence in the news media. During this past year, we achieved significant success in our public outreach efforts. The following news media reported on the GW Solar Institute: •

Associated Press

•

ABC Online

•

Reuters

•

Chicago Tribune

•

Minnesota Public Radio

•

Bloomberg.com

•

The MIT Technology Review

•

Nature

•

Renewable Energy World

example, the Director was featured in the September 2009 issue of National Geographic magazine, and he provided his view on the importance of federal investment in solar energy technology. In 2008 and 2009, we also delivered presentations on solar energy issues before numerous groups, ranging from leading solar organizations to technical associations. For example, the Institute’s Director provided presentations at the national conferences of two of the leading solar energy organizations – the Solar Energy Industries Association and the American Solar Energy Society. In addition, as noted above, the Institute’s Director presented a paper on the status of thin film PV manufacturing to the IEEE PV Specialist’s Conference on June 8, 2009 – a meeting of the world’s leading PV professionals. The IEEE meeting was especially valuable because it provided the Institute with a means of updating key PV technology experts about the global

The

GW Solar Institute

status of thin film PV. We also were able to introduce a

In addition, the Norwegian Academy of Sciences invited

senior Congressional staff member focusing on solar

the Director to speak on solar energy at a climate change

energy (a fellow of The American Association for the

conference otherwise dominated by carbon

Advancement of Science) to the PV community, and the

sequestration, and in September 2009, the Swiss Embassy

technology experts benefited from this interaction.

in Washington included the Institute Director in a public forum that also featured well-known New York Times

During the past year, the Director also presented at

energy reporter, Matt Wald, as moderator.

meetings of the National Geographic Society, the World Bank, the University of Palermo, Lux Research, and the

ENGAGING THE PUBLIC THROUGH

Center for Science in the Public Interest. All of these

THE WORLD WIDE WEB

events had attending media. One of the major avenues of In addition, during the Solar Institute’s first year, we participated in various worldwide solar forums and shared our knowledge, thereby positioning the GW Solar Institute for global recognition. The U.S. Embassy in Rome invited the Institute’s Director to present there and in Palermo, Sicily, as part of an information exchange sponsored by the State Department. The Director met with the Sicilian Regional Councilor of Industry, Dr. Pippo Gianni, a cabinet-level official.

communication established during the past year was a comprehensive website (http://solar.gwu.edu) to highlight the mission and activities of the Institute and to serve as a clearinghouse for information on solar and renewable energy. The home page emphasizes that the Solar Institute seeks to integrate its roles in research and policy analysis. It also

In Israel, the Institute’s Director was invited to present at The Eilat-Eilot Renewable Energy International Conference as a plenary speaker, and he also visited the

contains news feeds that provide readers with general solar energy news as well as updates on activities of the GW Solar Institute.

Weizmann Institute and Brightsource Energy’s 5 MW power tower prototype in the Negev Desert. At the conference, he met with Hezi Kugler, the cabinet-level Director General of Israel's Ministry of National Infrastructures, and he participated in a meeting of city officials from Eilat, who discussed a strategy to make their city a “solar city.” Arnold Goldman, Chairman and Founder of Brightsource Energy, met with the Director in the Negev, and this meeting resulted in an ongoing collaboration with Brightsource and a contact of value to GW researchers.

The research section of the website provides updates on the work of the Institute’s Project Investigators, and the resources section features an extensive library of presentations, reports, analyses, and videos, as well as a “Frequently Asked Questions” page about common solar energy topics. In addition, the website contains videos and slides from all the major presentations at the April 24, 2009 kickoff symposium.

2008-2009 Annual Report The value of the Solar Institute’s website has been

The Internet has become a principal means of

recognized with a steady climb in usage. The site now

communication across all levels of industry, government,

receives about 2,000 hits per month from more than 30

and academia. By increasing our presence on the World

countries. The site is the first contact with the GW Solar

Wide Web, the Institute intends to become an important

Institute for many of our stakeholders, and it is continu-

resource for solar experts and policymakers.

ally updated and improved.

BLOGGING WITH THE SOLAR INSTITUTE We also are expanding our public education efforts with accounts on both Facebook and Twitter. Through these

Every day, numerous things come across my desk from

social media outlets, we can update stakeholders about

the Internet or elsewhere purporting to be truths about

the latest news outputs from the Solar Institute.

solar. Yet many have serious errors or misstatements or

Facebook and Twitter will continue to grow as a means

are too narrowly focused to tell the whole story. Some

of communication as we generate more content on our

have wonderful insights that deserve more attention.

new blogs -- The Solar Review and Solar Analysis.

The Solar Review will respond to both – challenging some authors to change their views or be more precise;

We recently created The Solar Review as a means for the

praising others and building on their insights.

Institute to provide expert insight on the latest solar news.5 The development of this blog was spurred by

Even good news is greeted with a yawn these days,

concern about gaps in coverage of solar issues by the

because there is so much hype in the system. How many

news media. Journalists tend to focus on solar

people are sophisticated enough in solar technology to

developments that are brought to their attention, but

tell the wheat from the chaff? Can they distinguish

more important solar-related developments often go

between claims for hypothetical future achievements and

unnoticed. Commentary from The Solar Review is

achievements already made? Do they know that scaling

expected to reach key audiences as it is cited and

up a solar cell to a solar product is a 10 billion-fold

re-posted around the blogosphere.

challenge in making large area, near-perfect semiconductors? And that this can take over a decade of

In a similar vein, we recently created the Solar Analysis

huge investment? Apparently most of the venture

blog to serve as an outlet for the growing group of

capitalists who put money into PV startups in the last ten

alumni and graduate students who are passionate about

years didn’t know this!

the Solar Institute and its mission. We are working with these interested groups to develop regular coverage of

This may be the solar century, where solar makes not

solar policy and solar industry developments.

only a tangible, but even a majority contribution to our energy supply. We deserve a forum for understanding what matters. That is the purpose of the Solar Review. —Post on the Solar Institute blog: http://thesolarreview.org

The

Solar

Institute

Moving Forward During the upcoming year, we plan to build on the initial

•

Federal Role in Solar Funding and Incentives

work of the Institute, including our symposium, research

•

Creative Financing

work, and outreach activities. In addition, we will be

•

Methodology and Modeling

carefully tracking technical and policy developments, particularly the work of the DOE's Solar Vision and the

We believe that we can strengthen our policy impact by

National Academies on approaches for accelerating

pursuing several new opportunities. For example, we

deployment of solar energy. In addition, as we refine our

expect to: (1) present the results of our research work

own priorities during the coming year, our work plan

and engage in policy discussions with the staff and

will be influenced by legislative developments affecting

Members of additional Congressional Committees,

solar energy at the international, Federal and State levels,

including the House Committee on Energy and

particularly energy and climate legislation.

Commerce and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources; (2) engage in educational efforts on

In developing our priorities, we are faced with a broad

solar energy issues with additional organizations based

array of challenges to the rapid commercialization of

in Washington, D.C., such as the National Association of

solar energy. We are reviewing a wide range of potential

Regulatory Utility Commissioners, the Edison Electric

focus areas for the coming year. A key step in our review

Institute, and the National Governors Association.

process is the planned input and advice of our Advisory Board. Following our Board meeting, we will finalize our

In addition, we intend to increase our engagement with

plans for the next fiscal year. Among the issue areas we

the GW and Metro Washington communities through

are considering are the following:

seminars, guest speakers, and other mechanisms. We also plan to expand our educational materials and

•

Economic Analysis

outreach and plan to work to increase and diversify our

•

PV Module and System Reliability

funding sources, through the submission of applications

•

System Integration with Power Grid

to the U.S. Department of Energy and other agencies and

•

Siting of Solar Facilities and Transmission

organizations. Finally, the work of our second year will

•

Technology Analysis

involve a strong focus on following up on projects

•

Utility and Other Policy Analysis

initiated during year one.

•

Relative Benefits of Solar

2008-2009 Annual Report We are mindful that the development of a first-rank Solar Institute is a considerable challenge that takes time and commitment. We believe that we have made significant progress in our first year, and we foresee continuous improvement during the next several years. How will we know when we have succeeded? When our researchers consistently develop important new insights that contribute to the development of effective solar policies; when we have identified solutions to important technical challenges to the large-scale use of solar energy; when our students are trained for professional contributions in the solar community; and when our outreach work educates a large audience of individuals and organizations so that we become a trusted source for solar energy research and analysis. We hope you will join us in this important effort.

The

GW Solar Institute

APPENDIX I: GOVERNANCE Director — After a successful first year, Professor Ken Zweibel continues to lead the Institute as its Director. His three decades of experience in solar energy have proven essential in the development of the Institute. He led the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s successful Thin Film PV Partnership; was co-founder, and first president and chairman of the board of PrimeStar Solar; has written two books on PV; and co-authored the notable “A Solar Grand Plan” published in Scientific American (2008). As Director, Ken will continue to oversee all funded research and will work to expand the Institute’s network with the Department of Energy, The National Academies, and Members and staff of the United States Congress.

Co-Director — To strengthen the Institute’s leadership role on legal and policy issues related to solar energy, the Columbian School of Arts and Sciences appointed Debra Jacobson as Research Professor of Energy and Co-Director of the Solar Institute in September 2009. 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. She has worked on issues involving energy and environmental law and policy for more than 30 years. Her knowledge and experience will enhance the Solar Institute’s ability to accomplish its policy mission.

Executive Coordinator — Alexander Winn has been an integral part of the Solar Institute since its launch one year ago. He has taken the lead in coordinating many important projects, including the Kickoff Symposium, Institute communications and most notably, the Institute’s website. Alex earned his B.A. in Political Science from The George Washington University and has begun the Masters in Public Administration Program at GW’s Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration.

Advisory Board — To assure strong guidance regarding the Institute’s priorities and direction, we have recruited exceptional leaders to participate on our Advisory Board. The members of the Board are as follows:

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Ted Turner, Chairman, Turner Enterprises, Inc.;

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John Gaffney, Executive Vice President, First Solar, Inc.;

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Charles (Chuck) Wessner, Director, Program on Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, National Academies of Sciences;

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Richard Perez, Senior Research Associate, Atmospheric Sciences Research Center, State University of New York (SUNY), Albany;

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Fred Lawrence, Dean, The George Washington University Law School;

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Jerry Bloom, Partner, Chair, Energy Practice, Winston & Strawn LLP;

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Robin Crawford, Senior Vice President, Ruder Finn, Inc.

2008-2009 Annual Report Scientific Directors — The Institute also has benefited from the advice of its two scientific directors selected from among the GW faculty:

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Denis F. Cioffi, GW School of Business, Associate Professor of Decision Sciences; and Randall K. Packer, GW Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, Associate Dean for Special Projects & Professor of Biology.

APPENDIX II: RESEARCH NETWORK GW Solar Institute Researchers — We thank our colleagues who have joined us in this effort. The contributions of the GW community will continue to lift the GW Solar Institute to higher levels. Faculty:

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Denis F. Cioffi , Project Investigator, School of Business, Decision Sciences

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Joseph Cordes, Project Investigator, Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration

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Jonathon Deason , Project Investigator, School of Engineering, Engineering Management

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David Freestone (Visiting), Co-Project Investigator, GW Law School, Environmental Law

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David Grinlinton (Visiting), Co-Project Investigator, GW Law School, Environmental Law

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Robert Harrington , Project Investigator, School of Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering

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Lance Hoffman, Project Investigator, School of Engineering, Computer Science

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William Jackson (Former Faculty), Project Investigator, School of Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering

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Fred Joutz , Project Investigator, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, Economics

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Homayoun Khamooshi, Project Investigator, School of Business, Decision Sciences

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Stuart Licht, Project Investigator, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, Chemistry

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Arun Malik , Project Investigator, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, Economics

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Lee Paddock, Project Investigator, GW Law School, Environmental Law

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Andrea Sarzynski, Project Investigator, GW Institute of Public Policy

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John Sibert, Project Investigator, School of Engineering, Computer Science

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Robert Trost, Project Investigator, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, Economics

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Garry Young, Project Investigator, GW Institute of Public Policy

Graduate Students:

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Hina Ayub, Research Assistant, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, Chemistry

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Steven Burns, Co-Project Investigator, School of Engineering, Engineering Management

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Ariel Castillo, Co-Project Investigator, School of Engineering, Engineering Management

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Geoffrey Heaven , Research Assistant, GW Law School, Environmental Law

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Mark Hutson, Research Assistant, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, Economics

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Rounak Muthiyan, Research Assistant, School of Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering

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Scott Nuzum, Research Assistant, GW Law School, Environmental Law

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Tyler Ruthven, Research Assistant, Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration, Public Policy

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Rima Wandhekar, Research Assistant, School of Engineering, Computer Science

Undergraduate Students:

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Harry Bergman, Research Assistant, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, Chemistry

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Barnett Koven, Research Assistant, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, Economics

Affiliates of the GW Solar Institute:

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Mark Starik, Professor, Chair, GW School of Business, Strategic Management and Public Policy

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Stephen Pothier, Research Scientist, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, Chemistry

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Michael Duffey, Associate Professor of Engineering Management, School of Engineering, Engineering Management and Systems Engineering

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Stephen Hsu, Professor of Engineering and Applied Science, School of Engineering

ENDNOTES: 1.

U.S. Department of Energy, 20% Wind Energy by 2030: Increasing Wind Energy’s Contribution to U.S. Electricity Supply: Government Printing Office, 2008. http://solar.gwu.edu/index_files/ Resources_files/20percent_wind_energy_report_05-11-08.pdf

The agenda and presentations from the three meetings are available at: http://sites.nationalacademies.org/pga/step/

Testimony available at: http://science.house.gov/publications/hearings_markups_details.aspx?NewsID=2542 or http://solar.gwu.edu

Zweibel, Mason, Fthenakis, A Solar Grand Plan, Scientific American, January 2008. See: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=a-solar-grand-plan

See http://the_solar_review.org

THE GW SOLAR INSTITUTE :: THE COLUMBIAN COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES :: THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY :: 801 22ND STREET, NORTHWEST :: ROME HALL 450 :: WASHINGTON, DC 20052 :: 202-994-1965 :: HTTP://SOLAR.GWU.EDU