Solar Energy: The Future Is Here

Yesterday NASA astronaut Scott Kelly tweeted this photo from the International Space Station:

It's a striking image, revealing the enormous scale of this manmade structure from space. But where Kelly sees our human footprint, energy expert Michael Webber recognizes opportunity. And he's spot on:

Very sunny. So why not?

For decades we have discussed solar as an energy of the future. But it's already changing the energy game.

According to SEIA, 2014 photovoltaic installations were up 30 percent over the previous year. In fact, solar made up 32 percent of new electricity generation capacity (second after natural gas).

Why now? We're experiencing a perfect storm of decreasing prices, greater availability and incentives for consumers and a stable regulatory/policy environment. Even Google is finding new opportunities to encourage us to install panels.

In other words, the future is here. And it looks bright.

The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Scientific American. 

Share this Article:

New CommentYou must sign in or register as a ScientificAmerican.com member to submit a comment.

Welcome to the Scientific American Blog Network, a forum for a diverse and independent set of voices to share news and opinions and discuss issues related to science. For more information see our About page and Guidelines....more

Our Blogs

SA BLOGS

• @ScientificAmerican (Inside SciAm) 

• Anecdotes from the Archive (History) 

• Dark Star Diaries (Blackholes) 

• Expeditions (Field research) 

• Guest Blog (Expert voices) 

• MIND Guest Blog (Expert voices) 

• Observations (News) 

• SA Visual (Art) 

• Talking back (Neuroscience) 

• Voices (Diversity in science) 

NETWORK BLOGS