The Role of Solar Powerin the

Great Energy TransitionOctober 19, 2007

Niels Wolter

Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation

Solar Energy

• Equivalent to an eight inch layer of oil covering the earth each year

• 100,000 Terawatts strike the earth, human’s use about 15 Terawatts

Photovoltaic (PV) Effect

Where there is sun there is power!

Semiconductors

The Power of Solar

250 watts of panel (15 ft2)

Powers WI home refrigeratorfor 50 years

Cost of the solar systemabout $2000

Solar CEOs have promised50% cost reduction

By 2012

Germany, with less sun than Wisconsin

Solar Power

• Today solar meets 0.066% of world power needs

• Tucson Electric Power Co.'s vice president: “Arizona could get 100% of its energy needs from solar by 2100”

4.6 Megawatt plant in Arizona

Market Booming

U.S. market growing 43% /yr (last 4 years)

Wisconsin growing 80% /yr• 250 kW in 2006

$68M of venture capital

in first 3 quarters, 2007

Increase use 100X , meets

<10% of world’s power

Future of Solar Electric Power

Solar Electric Modules: With each doubling of production cost drop by 19%

Cost parity with coal fired power:• Today, parts of California and Hawaii• 2011, all of California• 2015, Germany• 2017?, Wisconsin• 2020, China

Could provide power to the world’s 1.6 billion people living without power

Wisconsin

Solar Thermal Power

10 cents/kWh today

7 cents/kWh in near future

Store heat for 12 hours

>60% capacity factor

Solar Thermal Power Generation

• FPL, PG&E and Ausra Commit to Develop 1,500 MW of Solar Power, Sept 28th

• PG&E Signs Agreement With Solel for 553 Megawatts of Solar Power, July 28th

An area 92 x 92 miles could meet all US power needs

A 30 MW system is planned for Florida!!

Wisconsin

Florida

Solar Panels in Moroccan Desert Power the World

Niels Wolter

Solar Electric Program ManagerWisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation

nielsw@weccusa.org