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

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GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

OVERVIEW
In its second year, the GW Solar Institute expanded its
multi-faceted work in addressing the major technical,
economic, legal and policy challenges associated with
the deployment of solar energy. We substantially
increased our assistance to Federal agencies,
particularly the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE),
completed and published significant research work,
broadened our research work with students, and
intensified our public outreach and education.
distinguished group of 100 experts from academia,
national laboratories, industry and government to
participate in an August 2010 workshop focused on a
grand challenge for $1/Watt electricity from solar
energy. Representatives of several DOE offices also
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
of Science and Technology Policy and the Congress
also sought technical assistance from the Institute and
its researchers.
findings in a broad range of disciplines, ranging from
science and technology to economics, law, and policy.
To cite just a few examples:
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
tellurium recovery could substantially boost
projected energy production from thin film CdTe
solar cells. These research results are very
significant in setting forth key elements of a path
to maintain international market share for this
important U.S. solar technology.

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 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-

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GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010
MAKING AN IMPACT
IN WASHINGTON AND
THE STATES
ADVISING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
AND OTHER EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCIES
During the past year, the Solar Institute substantially
expanded its work in providing advice and assistance
to Federal agencies, particularly the U.S. Department
of Energy (DOE). Our efforts increased with the
Energy, and they expanded to include the Office of
Science, the Advanced Research Projects Agency
Energy, and the Energy Information Administration.
Since DOE is the lead Federal Department on solar
energy technology and policy, this expanded role is
very significant.
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
a distinguished group of about 100 experts from
academia, National/Federal laboratories, industry, and
government to participate in the event. The workshop
Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and the
Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy
(ARPA-E).
8
The goal of the workshop was to assist DOE in
determining whether the proposed grand challenge
should be undertaken, and if so, how the program
energy system equivalent to 5-6 cents per kilowatt-
hour (kWh) would be fully competitive with electric
generating systems using fossil fuels without
additional subsidies in most parts of the country
greenhouse gas reduction and clean energy
transformation.
The workshop focused on an initial target program
that would demonstrate pilot installation of fully
installed systems by 2017. The workshop participants
also focused on a white paper drafted by EERE and
ARPA-E that discussed the following paths to
solutions:
Module innovations that will permit achieving
~50 ¢/W and 20%+ efficient modules with a focus on
manufacturing strategies and improved efficiency in
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
inverters or centralized inverters at a significantly
reduced cost (~10 ¢/W) using novel materials and
circuit architectures.
Secretary Chu began the workshop with an address
about the science supporting global climate change,
the need for rapid adoption of clean energy solutions,
 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
technologies at the system level (See Figure 2); and (2)
In late 2009 and 2010, the Institute continued to play a
the non-module costs of PV systems (so-called
balance of system or BOS costs, such as installation
provides an in-depth assessment of the
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)

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GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010
labor, trackers, and permitting and regulatory costs)
shown as a function of module efficiency for several
different PV technologies. These technologies
included: cadmium telluride thin film (CdTe),
amorphous silicon (a-Si), copper indium gallium
(di)selenide thin film (CIGS), multicrystalline silicon
(multi-Si), and monocrystalline silicon
(mono-Si) (see Figure 3).
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
release the final Solar Vision Study in the fall of 2010.
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)
Figure 4. Key PV Material Availability Forecast Annual Potential GW/yr
Output (from the draft DOE Solar Vision Study, based on Institute research)
10
Energy Information Administration
In the course of researching the National Energy
Modeling System (NEMS) last year, researchers from
the GW Economics Department had found that some
of the primary technological and cost assumptions
underlying its solar sub-module needed to be
re-evaluated and updated. This conclusion is
important because NEMS is the primary energy-
economy 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.
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
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
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
The solar advisory panel made a particularly
expected that this dialogue will result in much more
important contribution by emphasizing the need to
realistic assumptions by this crucial data source within
build scientific understanding of existing photovoltaic
the U.S. Department of Energy.
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
Program had not previously given sufficient
group of six technical experts advising the Office on a
consideration to the value and opportunities for
redirection of its solar energy research program. The
progress in those technologies. The Institute also
goal of this expert review was to increase the relevance
facilitated cross-fertilization between DOE programs
of the program to industry needs and national
since some of the recommendations developed by the
priorities and to increase the near-term research
review panel for the Office of Basic Energy Sciences
impact. The other members of the panel included
were included in the draft Solar Vision PV cost
officials from Applied Solar, DuPont, the National
Renewable Energy Laboratory, GE Global Research,
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
and Columbia University. This effort involved

Advisory Committee in January 2010 as well as 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 effectiveness in future solar research and development.
modeling for scale-up; and (3) better control of
ARPA-E is important because it is a new entity
photovoltaic lifetime and degradation processes. The
researching alternative energy technologies. It was
Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee
modeled on the well-known Defense Advanced
highlighted these three priority research areas in its
Research Projects Agency (DARPA), an Agency that
claims responsibility for various technological

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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. Figure 5. The 14 MW PV array above provides Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada
with nearly 25 percent of its annual power use.
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.
ASSISTING THE U.S. CONGRESS
This briefing focused on various challenges and
During the past year, the Institute and its researchers
opportunities in siting solar energy facilities and
continued to assist the U.S. Congress by providing
related cost implications. For example, siting issues
valuable technical information. This work
have included challenges and delays related to
endangered species and habitat impacts, water use by
Washington, D.C..
certain solar thermal technologies, and concerns of
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.

12

The Institute also provided background information
to Congressional staff members on the issue of feed-in
tariffs (FITs), an important financial incentive
approach. FITs are a renewable energy policy that
typically offers a guarantee of: (1) payments to project
owners for renewable energy produced; (2) access to
the electric grid; and (3) stable, long-term contracts
(e.g., 15 to 20 years). One of the major goals of energy
and climate legislation is to accelerate the deployment
of clean energy technologies, including solar energy,
and experience in many countries, most notably in
Germany, has highlighted the benefit of FITs in
achieving this goal. However, a report on solar energy
legal issues prepared for the Solar Institute (as well as
another report prepared by researchers for the
National Renewable Energy Laboratory) highlighted
substantial legal constraints impeding states interested
in adopting FITs.
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
Director was one of the witnesses who testified at a
hearing before the House Science and Technology
Committee on this legislation in July 2009. The
legislation creates a strategic roadmap to advance
solar energy technologies through prioritized research
and development activities.
move another notch. Simply put, there are places and PV systems today that can sell electricity at 13 ¢/kWh, or even 10 ¢/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
GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010
ASSISTING STATE OFFICIALS
-Director was
appointed by the Director of the Virginia Department
on Environmental Quality (VA DEQ) to serve on a
Regulatory Advisory Panel to assist the Department in
the development of new regulations relating to solar
energy facilities. These new regulations will
implement legislation enacted by the Virginia General
Assembly in 2009 that was designed to streamline
permitting for small renewable energy facilities
(defined as facilities up to 100MW), including solar
energy facilities. The legislation required the
regulation rather than being developed on a case-by-
case basis. The solar-specific rulemaking is likely to be
precedent-setting since it is an innovative effort to
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
to develop background information to assist the
Regulatory Advisory Panel in its deliberations. The
Institute recruited five students completing their
Public Policy and Public Administration to focus their
final capstone project on this issue, and VA DEQ
utilized the project results.
for PV,
must
- - June 24, 2010
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GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010
RESEARCHING AND
ANALYZING CRITICAL
ISSUES
In its second year, the Solar Institute pursued a
number of new research projects, increased its
engagement with students on research projects, and
completed a variety of research projects begun during
its first year. This research work covered a wide range
of disciplines, including science and technology,
economics, law and policy, and it achieved some very
significant outcomes.
RESEARCH BY INSTITUTE AND ITS FACULTY
PARTNERS
Analyzing the Cost and Performance of
Photovoltaic Technologies
involved the drafting and the coordination of peer
was conducted under a subcontract to the National
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
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
module technologies, such as low-cost thin films (e.g.,
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
system costs. In contrast, technologies, such as single-
crystal silicon, already have very high efficiencies (over
20%) that are difficult to improve, and their balance of
system costs are already low. For these technologies, a
different R&D focus is more valuable, including
research to reduce module manufacturing costs, which
can result in reduced feedstock costs, larger modules,
and less capital intensive manufacturing.
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
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
magazine.2
Figure 6. Table from Science article: The Impact of Tellurium
Supply on Cadmium Telluride Photovoltaics

After many years of development, CdTe PV modules
have become the lowest-cost producer of solar
electricity (even though these modules work at a lower
efficiency than crystalline silicon cells), and sales have
increased rapidly. However, concern has been
expressed about projecting hundredfold increases in
power production relative to current production with
CdTe. These concerns have been raised because Te is
one of the
crust, and the current technology now uses Te at rates
that are substantial fractions of its documented supply.
Zweibel, concludes that the long-term potential for
CdTe PV modules need not be bleak, given realistic
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)
GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010
The article emphasizes that the need for tellurium can
be reduced from about 100 metric tons per gigawatt
(GW) to about 4.4 metric tons per GW by increasing
module efficiency from 10% to 15% and by thinning
layers of CdTe from 3 microns to 0.2 micron. With
these improvements, maximum annual cadmium
telluride module production from currently identified
ores (about 1500 metric tons/yr of tellurium as a by-
product of copper extraction) could allow CdTe
modules to achieve nearly 100% market share for PV
sales reaching 10% or even 25% of world electricity use
in 2030. These are huge global markets of about 3000
to 7500 terawatt-hours per year (TWh/yr) (all U.S.
electricity this year is about 4000 TWh/yr).
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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 8.

benefits than the preliminary results reported in last
by Stuart Licht, published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry - Letters : Coiled
platinum before (left), and after (right), carbon capture at 750° C in molten
STEP process could cut the cost of producing
carbonate. Carbon dioxide fed into the electrolysis chamber is converted to solid
hydrogen by 55% compared to traditional PV carbon in a single step.
approaches to generate hydrogen. The land area to
On another front, an impetus to drive a transition
produce hydrogen is reduced by a factor of seven and
from fossil fuels to solar generation of electricity is the
capital costs are reduced significantly, greatly lowering
growing use of electric vehicles. An obstacle to the im-
the production costs. An article describing the
plementation of electric cars is the low driving range
foundation for this work was published in the Journal
imposed by the high weight and volume of
of Physical Chemistry,3 and the results of this research
contemporary lithium batteries (lithium batteries have
are in press in the International Journal of Hydrogen
only one-fifth the volumetric energy density of
Energy.4

This important research provides evidence that the

field of multi-electron storage to increase battery
STEP system is an economically viable solution for the storage capacity, including the new vanadium boride
production of hydrogen. It can produce hydrogen at a
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
grant for research of these multi-electron batteries.
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

Evaluating the Solar Energy Potential of the
Department of Defense
School of Engineering and Applied Science have made
substantial progress in advancing their project to
evaluate the solar potential of Department of Defense
(DoD) facilities and non-tactical vehicles. Moreover,
the research has resulted in important technical
guidance in the development of Federal legislation.
This project is the focus of the doctoral dissertation
research of Ariel Castillo and his co-investigator,
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
emissions, and the cost of implementing solar energy
at 200 major DoD bases in the continental U.S. They
also are evaluating the mission considerations of these
bases. The goal of the project is to complete by the
end of the year an evaluation of all of the listed
parameters to support the development of a
framework for a solar energy transition across the 200
bases. In addition, the researchers plan to develop an
optimization model identifying the most promising
candidate bases for solar energy implementation. As
discussed earlier in this report, the research has
resulted in important technical guidance during the
past year to the staff of Congresswoman Gabrielle
Giffords in support of the development of the
Department of Defense Energy Security Act.
GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010
Improving Assessment of the Air Emissions
Reduction Benefits of Solar Energy
-Director,
Debra Jacobson, published an article in the inaugural
edition of the George Washington University Journal
of Energy and Environmental Law, and the Yale
School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
republished this article in a report of the work of the
REIL Project, a leading international renewable energy
network. This article, which was co-authored with
Colin High of Resources Systems Group, was titled
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.
The publication analyzes three common
methodologies used for quantifying air emission
reductions from increased use of energy efficiency and
renewable energy technologies, including solar PV.
Two of these methodologies are based on information
in the Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated
Database (eGRID), and the third methodology was
developed by Resource Systems Group (RSG).
The law review article finds that the eGRID system
average methodology that has been applied by the
Climate Registry and hundreds of other entities
understates the carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide
emission reduction benefits of PV in two regional
power markets by approximately 65% to 165%
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 non-
baseload 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

This publication is significant because 40 States have
adopted the Climate Registry protocols as their
approach for measuring direct and indirect emissions
change and energy security. The Energy Policy
journal has accepted this paper for publication.
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

years, and periods of 40 years are being considered.
With proper design, PV might last a century at
negligible operating or refurbishing costs.
Figure 9 shows a case where PV has a dominating cost
advantage assuming a zero discount rate. After a
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
decision-
operating cost into account when examining PV
deployment strategies.
Analyzing Current Economic Models for Solar
Electric Generation
During the past year, additional work on this project -
involving the solar energy sub-module of the 2009
National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) - was
conducted by professors in the GW Economics
Department, including Frederick Joutz, Arun Malik,
and Robert Trost, and a graduate student, Mark
Hutson. This work also involved the interactions of
the solar sub-module with the rest of the NEMS
model.
In the course of working with NEMS last year, the
researchers had found that some of the primary
technological and cost assumptions underlying its
solar sub-module needed to be re-evaluated and
updated. This conclusion is very important because
NEMS is the primary energy-economy model
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
Researching Key Legal Issues to Support
Solar Expansion
In 2010, research teams led by Lee Paddock, Associate
Dean for Environmental Studies at the GW Law
School, and David Grinlinton, a Visiting Professor
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 feed-
in tariffs and issues that may complicate the ability of
states in the United States to adopt such tariffs; the
role that Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards play in
supporting solar energy development; public utility
regulatory barriers impacting certain types of solar
energy providers; the nature of the steps that can be
taken to expedite siting of transmission lines; the effect
that land use and zoning regulations may have on
solar facility deployment; and the value of government
procurement provisions in increasing solar energy
production. The study reviewed all of these issues in
the United States and for several of the issues, in other
countries Germany, Spain, Japan, China, and
Australia.
Dean Paddock presented the results of his research on
feed-in tariffs at an energy symposium sponsored by
the University of Toledo Law School in March 2010.
In addition, the University of Toledo Law Review has
accepted a related law review article co-authored by
Dean Paddock and David Grinlinton for publication.
19
GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010
Assessing the Design, Adoption, and Impact
of State Solar Financial Incentives
In 2009, researchers from the GW Institute of Public
Policy completed important research that should be
valuable in contributing to improved design of state
financial incentives for solar energy. This research
project, conducted by Andrea Sarzynski and Gary
Young, sought to fill major information gaps about:
(1) the level of state expenditures on incentive
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.
This project addressed the information gaps through
three research phases. The first phase catalogued and
assessed the design and variation of state-level
incentives for solar power (as of December 2008). The
second phase compiled evidence regarding the impact
of incentive programs in ten states on consumer
adoption of solar technology, reduction in energy
demand, and reduction in the environmental impact
of energy production. The third phase of the project
evaluated the factors that influenced the adoption of
state solar financial incentives within states. Three
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
programs in ten states; and a working paper on the
factors influencing state adoption of solar energy
incentives.
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
incentives for small-scale solar technology adoption.
Solar energy incentives appear to work better in
certain contexts than others (i.e., where conventional
electricity is costly and carbon-intensive, where
installation costs are low-to-moderate). The
researchers also found that solar incentive programs,
particularly rebates for residential PV systems in
certain States, appear quite expensive as tools for
greenhouse gas reduction compared to other
alternatives.
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
instance, market conditions already may provide
sufficient inducement to invest in solar energy
technology (e.g., Hawaii) or non-state incentive
programs already may be successfully stimulating
markets (e.g., Arizona). In many other states,
however, small-scale solar facilities remain quite
expensive to install, and financial incentives may be
necessary to stimulate market development.
Modeling the Solar Grand Plan to Facilitate
Deployment
School of Engineering and Applied Science have made
substantial progress in advancing their project to
construct buildout scenarios associated with
transitioning the United States to an electric power
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
transition to large-scale renewable energy generation.
This project entails the application of manufacturing,
cost, resource, development, and regulatory
limitations through a linear optimization model that
outputs an optimized project plan detailing a
recommended phased buildout schedule of solar PV
and other renewable energy-based generation and
associated transmission infrastructure in the United
States over the next 40 years. This model will enable
planners to develop a realistic deployment schedule
balancing power price increases and construction
timeframes with growth in installed solar and other
renewable energy capacity.
The strength of the model that is under development is
that it focuses on one of the primary technical
limitations associated with large-scale renewable
energy deployment: the issue of transmission capacity
available to intermittent power generation resources.
The model incorporates available data with respect to
power grid stability and transmission capacity to and
from each region 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
the final testing phase and is projected be completed
this year.
Decision Sciences, provides a different set of tools to
assist in the planning of large-scale solar deployment.
This research uses a systems dynamic approach to
model how PV, wind energy, and traditional electric
generation sources will compete and be deployed as
the costs of solar electric generation decrease over a
period of 40 years.
A major advantage of this systems dynamic model is
that it provides a user-friendly, flexible tool. At any
layer of the model itself, one can view the parameters
in an influence diagram that, while complicated
because of the large number of elements, shows clearly
how they affect one another. The model needs only
seconds of time to run, with output that can be shown
directly in tables and graphs. The parameters that one
wishes to study can be changed by turning a knob on
the screen. Thus, results of different strategic options
can be viewed quickly.
proprietary models are not user-friendly. More
importantly, such models are not readily transparent,
requiring the understanding of thousands of lines of
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.

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

21
GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

Assessing Policies to Expand Investment in
and Use of Solar Power in the U.S.
of Public Policy and Public Administration completed
the development of a solar policy framework that:
summarizes the case for public intervention to
promote the use of solar power (based on the best and
most recent evidence on benefits of solar power that
are not reflected in market prices and costs); develops
a typology of different legal, regulatory, and fiscal
options available for encouraging wider and more
rapid use of solar energy technologies; and evaluates
illustrative policies, benchmarked against accepted
criteria of policy effectiveness. Joseph Cordes,
Associate Director of the Trachtenberg School of
Public Policy and Public Administration, led this
research with assistance from Peter Linquiti, a
graduate student.
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
producing electricity from solar power vs. other
means. Earlier assessments of solar subsidies have
suggested that the external benefits were not sufficient
draft report identifies and discusses several factors that
strengthen the case for public subsidies for solar
power: (1) political obstacles to enacting policies that
would put prices on what the National Academy of
fossil fuels; (2) new estimates of these hidden costs,
which suggest significant savings in hidden social costs
from greater deployment of solar power; (3)
continued reductions in the cost of solar power; and

The categories of public policy responses identified in deployment of solar technologies.

this research are organized along a continuum from
The draft report also analyzes recently released
those that entail minimal public intervention, to those
Treasury Department data on the volume and
requiring more activist policies to address market
geographic distribution of Section 1603 cash grants.
failures, and they include the following: (1) policies to
level the playing field by eliminating legal and
which is a standard framework for evaluating invest-
regulatory barriers; (2) policies that affect relative
ment tax incentives, along with the Solar Advisor
production cost, such as investment tax credits and
Model, developed by the National Renewable Energy
regulatory/tax treatment of fossil fuels (e.g. cap-and-
Laboratory, to compare the incentive effects of
trade); (3) policies that affect production through
production tax credits and investment tax credits.
capital costs and investment risk, such as interest rate
Based on this analysis, the draft report discusses the
subsidies, loan guarantees and tax treatment of the
comparative economic, financial and political
financial return to solar capital supplied by individual
advantages and disadvantages of the two types of tax
investors; and (4) policies that affect the prices and
credits. The report will be completed for posting on
revenues received by providers of solar power, such as
Renewable Portfolio Standards and feed-in tariffs.

22

STUDENT RESEARCH
Several law students conducted important research on
solar energy issues as part of a course on
Environmental Issues in Energy Law co-taught by the
-Director at the GW Law School in the
spring of 2010. Three of these projects are discussed
below, and all three research papers are posted on the
Analyzing the Endangered Species Act and
Utility-Scale Solar Development in the
Southwest
One research paper, prepared by LLM candidate Jay
Donohue, shows the significant impact that legal
issues involving the Endangered Species Act (ESA) can
have on the development of utility-scale solar power
facilities in the Southwest region of the United States.
The paper focuses on a case study of BrightSource
System (Ivanpah Project), the issue of the threatened
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
megawatts). The proposed modification eliminated
the land area where the project would have had the
greatest impact on the desert tortoise (even though the
land is not in a critical habitat and the tortoise is
GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010
classified as a threatened species rather than an
endangered species). In addition, the mitigation plan
proposed the relocation of the desert tortoise off the
Ivanpah Project site following detailed scientific study
and consultation with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
The research indicated that BrightSource has not only
complied with the requirements of the ESA, but it also
had taken additional measures to protect the desert
tortoise. Therefore, the paper concluded that the
relevant Federal and State agencies should issue the
relevant approvals to the Ivanpah Project under the
ESA.
The Donohue paper also examines the ramifications of
the Solar Programmatic Environmental Impact
environmental permitting process for future projects
located within Solar Energy Zones in the Southwest.
Lastly, the research evaluates legislation proposed by
Senator Feinstein from California entitled the
substantially limit solar development in the Mojave
Desert, including the Ivanpah Project.
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.
The general concept proposed by the Director was to
extend a tax structure, which already exists and
benefits the commercial real estate market, to
stimulate large-scale solar energy development. Just as
23
GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010
real estate investment trusts (REITs) have spurred
investment into commercial real estate, it was argued
that Solar REITs could bring solar development to the
masses and would increase capital flows into solar
energy markets. The REIT concept is especially
applicable to solar PV because of the nature of this
technology, particularly its dependable output
independent of most market risks (e.g, fuel price
increases, risks related to new greenhouse gas
regulation) and its long useful life.
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
§ 856 of the Internal Revenue Code. Such a
clarification could be achieved by securing a favorable
revenue ruling or private letter ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service. Alternatively, Congress
could enact legislation amending the Internal Revenue
Code to achieve this objective. The effectiveness of the
REIT structure in the solar energy context also would
require the restructuring of some of the current
financial incentives for large-scale solar projects as
well as their clear integration with the REIT structure.
24
Researching Restrictive Covenants
A third GW Law student research project by Katherine
Ramsey sought to respond to a request for research
assistance by a member of the Board of Directors of
the MD-DC-VA Solar Energy Industries Association.
This research project addressed the important issue of
-Director
supervised this research. This student project should
be valuable in supporting the constitutionality of the
legislation, expected to be introduced in the 2011
Session of the Virginia General Assembly, to invalidate
existing homeowner association covenants that
unreasonably restrict the installation of solar collection
devices.
During the 2010 Session of the Virginia General
Assembly, legislation was introduced to invalidate
existing homeowner association covenants that
unreasonably restrict the installation of solar collection
devices. Of particular concern to opponents was the
fact that the legislation was retroactive in effect and
addressed restrictive covenants that became effective
before July 1, 2008. Opponents of the legislation
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

25
GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010
RAISING AWARENESS
EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF
SOLAR LEADERS
Another major role of the Solar Institute is educating
the next generation of solar energy leaders through
lectures and other opportunities. A major initiative in
this area was launched in April with the creation of the
Solar Institute-Lockheed Martin Fellows program.
Under this partnership, a graduate student from the
selected to conduct research under the supervision of
the Solar Institute during the 2010 to 2011 academic
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.
HOSTING THE SECOND ANNUAL
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
26
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
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
chain, DuPont and Lockheed Martin, and the
President of the major U.S. solar trade association.
Other presenters included Ambassador Stuart
Eizenstat, who held senior executive branch positions
under three presidents, and John Lushetsky, Director
Other prominent solar energy experts from
government, non-profit organizations and academia
also delivered remarks.
Attendance at the symposium included more than 200
attendees from government, the private sector, non-
profit 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
The symposium keynote speech by Ambassador
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.
Rhone Resch, President of the Solar Energy Industries
Association, emphasized the growth already occurring
in the solar industry. He stressed that 85 MW of
utility-scale PV was in operation but more than 6500
MW was under development at the time of the
conference.
The symposium presentations from solar PV experts
emphasized the dramatic price reductions in solar
modules that have occurred in recent years.
According to Rhone Resch, average PV module prices
fell approximately 40% between mid-2008 and the end
of 2009, and speakers emphasized the continuing cost
reductions anticipated in coming years. Moreover,
Institute Director, Ken Zweibel, highlighted the
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).
capacity skyrocketed from 10 Megawatts (MW) to
roadmap projects a further reduction to $0.52 to
$0.63/W by 2014.
Substantial discussion also focused on approaches to
achieving further cost reductions and product
efficiencies. Several speakers emphasized that
increased attention has been directed at addressing
so-
cells and modules) have declined. These soft costs
include project management and installation costs as
well as the costs of regulatory delays. SunPower
underscored substantial cost reductions that they have

27
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.
capital, and they stressed the critical need for
David Miller, President of Electronics and
long-term, consistent incentive policies to overcome
Communications for DuPont, provided insights into
this constraint. Among the key financing needs cited
the critical role of continuing improvements in
were the extension of the Treasury grant program
materials in increasing the future competitiveness of
(established in 2009 and slated to expire at the end of
the solar PV industry. These materials include items
2010), improvements in the DOE loan guarantee
such as encapsulants to protect the modules,
program, reinstating a 30% solar manufacturing tax
metallization pastes and junction boxes. Miller
credit, establishing a Federal clean energy bank to
emphasized that the cost of materials represents a
provide access to low-cost financing, and broadening
greater percentage of total PV costs (30%) compared
the investor base through a Solar Real Estate
to other electronic products (e.g., displays and semi-
Investment Trust concept. Other speakers highlighted
conductors), thereby increasing the significance of
the need for improved access to land and transmission
developments in this area. DuPont is ranked first in
as well as issues involved in integrating solar energy
the world in PV materials manufacturing, and Miller
into the electric utility grid. Streamlining the
environmental review process for projects on Federal
innovations will enhance PV competitiveness by
lands and for projects receiving Federal loan
reducing module costs, increasing cell efficiency, and
guarantees also was cited as an area of concern.
increasing the lifetime of PV systems to deliver lower-
cost power.

28

Many speakers also highlighted increasing
opportunities for solar energy. For example, Julie
Blunden stressed that electric utilities across the
country were now at an inflection point in the use of
solar enrgy. She cited contracts with Pacific Gas &
Electric for a 210 MW central station generating plant
and own 200 MW of distributed rooftop generation.
She stressed that utilities have been influenced by the
fact that the levelized cost of energy for solar PV is
now competitive with natural gas peaking plants, the
reduced risks associated with solar PV, and other
factors.
William Gould, the Chief Technical Officer of Solar
Reserve, and Scott Frier, the Chief Operating Officer
of Abengoa Solar, provided a detailed review of the
advances in solar thermal technologies that have
moved these technologies into commercial use in the
Southwest U.S. Frier emphasized that 430 MW of
concentrated solar power projects are already in
operation in the United States and that an additional
8,280 MW of projects are under signed contracts with
utilities.
the #1 or #2 new generation resource in North America
Julie Blunden, Vice President for Public Policy, SunPower,
GW Solar Institute Symposium, April 19, 2010
The presentations on solar thermal technologies
emphasized that the increased interest of electric
utilities in these technologies has been driven by
several factors, including the need to diversify
generation portfolios to hedge against fuel price risks
and volatility and the risks of carbon regulation.
Mandated renewable energy targets and financial
GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010
incentives also were cited as key drivers. Both
presenters also highlighted the advantages of solar
thermal technology in allowing utilities to store solar
energy produced at various times of the day to help
address the intermittency of solar energy and to
provide power during peak demand periods, thereby
commanding the highest prices. Cost declines in solar
thermal technologies were projected as a result of
further research and development, larger plants, global
market growth, and the associated learning curve
effects.
In the presentations on solar energy in the
transportation sector, Dr. Stuart Licht of the GW
Chemistry Department detailed an innovative
approach to use solar energy to produce both
hydrogen and synthetic diesel for transportation. Don
Paul, the Executive Director of the University of
Southern California Energy Institute, compared the
nature of the challenges involved in the various fuel
and transport supply chains. For example, he stressed
the high cost of the new production infrastructure
needed for synthetic fuels but the benefits of reliance
on existing vehicles and distribution and supply
infrastructure for such fuels. Both Don Paul and Sam
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,
underscored the need for research and development
on a diverse portfolio of energy options in the
transportation sector, including solar energy sources.
In summary, the Second Annual Symposium
highlighted both the opportunities for solar energy as
well as many significant challenges. It also
underscored the importance of technical and policy
advances to meet these challenges.
29
GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

EDUCATING STAKEHOLDERS THROUGH THE Energy Washington

NEWS MEDIA, PRESENTATIONS, AND OTHER Fox News
OUTREACH
GW Today

Public education is critical in achieving the market Habitat Media

transformation necessary for solar energy IEEE Spectrum
development, and therefore, the Institute continued to
InfoX
place a significant emphasis on its work with the news
Land Letter
media and other outreach efforts.
MIT Technology Review
News Media MSNBC
Progressive Radio Network
The Solar Institute built on the success of its first year
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 -
SNL Financial
reporters have turned to Institute staff for important
The Christian Science Monitor
background and analysis in preparing articles for
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
absence of a comprehensive national solar policy and
American Forces Network
its impact on the U.S. solar market. The New York
Carbon Control News
CNet how the impact of transient clouds can be limited on
Consumer Energy Report the electricity output of large-scale solar facilities. In

30

another press report, the Director critiqued the
tendency of government research agencies to focus
undue emphasis on funding high-risk solar energy
technologies instead of advancing foundational
knowledge of established technologies. Thus, the
to maintain U.S. competitiveness in established solar
technologies in which U.S. companies currently
possess a competitive edge.
Presentations and Other Outreach
Presentations also are an important component of the
Directors provided nearly two dozen presentations
last year on an array of solar energy issues to a wide
range of solar energy stakeholders. Audiences ranged
from highly sophisticated solar energy professionals,
such as the attendees of the 2009 International
Semiconductor Device Research Symposium at the
University of Maryland and those attending the
Intersolar North America Conference, to audiences
seeking an introduction to the solar energy field. In
October 2009, the Director also addressed the Solar
Power International Conference, the largest solar
conference in North America. The presentations
focused on a variety of topics, such as solar energy
technology and economic trends, technical challenges,
and solar energy policy issues.
One of the areas of focus in the past year involved
presentations to the legal community a key player
in the efforts to expand solar energy deployment. In
February 2010, the Director delivered a talk on a
webcast sponsored by the American Bar Association
(ABA) and the American Council on Renewable
Energy (ACORE) on the topic of "Solar: The Future
King of Renewables?" The event was streamed to
GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010
numerous law firms across the country, and more than
300 individuals participated directly in the event. The
Director discussed the special characteristics of large-
scale PV and concentrated solar power facilities,
technical and economic opportunities and challenges,
and siting issues.
In February, the Director participated in a conference
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
Federal and state regulatory hurdles, also was
discussed. The panel discussion with environmental
and agency officials underscored the need to strike an
appropriate balance between renewable energy goals
and wildlife protection concerns in the solar energy
development process.
The Institute also provided seminars to business
leaders during the past year. For example,
presentations to Lockheed Martin and DuPont
executives on technical and policy issues provided
valuable updates to these industry leaders on key
issues.
-Director delivered
a presentation at Yale University sponsored by the
REIL Project. The presentation summarized her
collaborative research that critiques the methodology
used by the 40-State Climate Registry for calculating
the emission reduction benefits of renewable energy
and energy efficiency.
meetings with various key stakeholders throughout the
year. These meetings ranged from one with the
31
GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010
Executive Director of the Solar Electric Power
associations, to a meeting with the Team Leader for
Climate and Chemicals of the Global Environment
Facility, the largest public sector renewable energy
technology transfer mechanism in the world.
Internet and Social Media
The GW Solar Institute made significant progress in
expanding its Internet presence in the last year. In
addition to the hundreds of followers on Facebook and
Twitter, the Institute has an e-mail listserv of more
than 2,000 significant solar energy stakeholders,
including industry professionals, energy lawyers,
Federal officials, and legislative staff. The listserv and
social networking sites allow the Institute to quickly
distribute important solar news and educational
information and to keep pace with the quickly
changing solar market and national conversation. The
visited by more than 10,000 individuals from 93
countries.
2 solar economics and land use issues are proving to be
electricity and uses 100,000 km for lakes behind the dams.
This is about 1% of US land area. So in comparison,
Our Electricity with Solar - January 28, 2010
significant traction within the last year, when the
Institute won support for its syndication at
RenewableEnergyWorld.com, one of the most visited
32
websites dedicated to renewable energy news and
information. Through these sites, the Institute has
sought to highlight critical issues in the solar energy
field and address misstatements that often occur. In
addition, the Institute has engaged in many healthy
dialogues with readers of the blog.
2009, explains in detail the key metrics driving solar
energy adoption.
-
resolution map of the solar resource in the U.S. and
the simple calculations necessary to determine their
local solar resource. With that number, individuals
annual output in kWh per installed Watt. The blog
further explains the metric of dollar per Watt, and
coupled with the output calculation, one can then
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
allows one to understand the impact of solar policies
on affordability and to compare the cost of electricity
other similar blog posts that help visitors understand
an important output of the Institute as the national
energy dialogue becomes more sophisticated.
The main Solar Institute website continues to improve
the resources available to visitors. In addition to a
growing document library and catalog of the
other solar energy events. In short, the GW Solar
Institute is making full use of the Internet as a means
of disseminating knowledge.

Blog posts at TheSolarReview.org:
Postponed Gratification
Science Fiction Dream
The Illusion of a Level Playing Field
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 Cost-
Competitive Now
Photovoltaics Comes of Age
The Gulf Spill: Addiction Reaction
Solar for
The Arithmetic of Solar Royalty Trusts
GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010
Is Bad News Better than No News? We Are Replacing Current
We Love Our Cheap Modules Infrastructure and Incurring Added
Costs, Because That Is the Only Way We
Does It Matter that Something Can Be
Can Rapidly Turn Down Fossil Fuels
Cheap a Long Time from Now?
First Solar, Ordos, China, US
Cinch
Is CIGS Turning the Corner?
Land Needed To Make All Our Electricity
with Solar Photovoltaics
Climate Change and Peak Oil?
(and Why They Do)
Rule and Solar Energy
How Much Could We Save If We Harness
Buying PV Without Getting
Solar and Wind with Electric Vehicles to
Ripped Off
End Oil Dependence and Eliminate
Carbon Dioxide as a Problem? Solar PV Getting Cheaper, But Press
CO2, Oil, Electric Vehicles, Wind
and Solar PV Fast Facts
Our Excellent Renewables Adventure
33
GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

34

MOVING
FORWARD
As the Institute expands its relationships throughout
the U.S. Federal government, opportunities abound
for research and outreach about key issues impacting
the future of solar energy. Some examples include the
following:
Reducing solar energy costs;
Sustaining market growth so that learning-driven
cost reductions continue;
Assuring continuing improvements in solar
energy technology;
Integrating variable solar resources into the power
grid;
GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010
Overcoming challenges to the siting and financing
of solar energy facilities;
Resolving barriers to new transmission facilities;
Finding a proper balance of societal investment in
solar energy (for CO2 reduction and energy
diversification, including recognizing the value of
long-lasting PV); and
Defining the opportunity for electric
transportation powered by solar energy.
The Institute will continue to take a leadership role in
pursuing these and other issues. We look forward to
working with interested parties on these efforts.
35
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 Associate Professor of Decision Sciences, GW School of Business
Randall K. Packer 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

37
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).

38
 GW Solar Institute Annual Report 2010

9. -Air Multiple Electron High-

-
GWU 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

39
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.