Shining a light to a solar century

From those behind developing photovoltaic technology - the means to turn the sun's energy into electricity - to governments providing alternative energy subsidies, more people are warming to the idea that solar power is a solution, not of tomorrow, but today.

Seems like a great idea… The article goes on to say, “In a single day the Earth’s deserts receive as much energy as the world needs for the whole year. Capturing that energy is just one challenge. Making it affordable and accessible is another.” But places like Germany are making it happen today. Germany now boasts 55% of the world’s total photovoltaic capacity and you can look to the government for why. In 2000, they passed a law that all energy companies had to purchase some of their energy from renewable sources. What I see here that makes sense is that the government stepped in and mandated certain things regarding energy use. However, the government did not step in and dictate which form or energy needed to be used or even worse, what form of alternative energy they will subsidized. Lastly, is anyone else sick of Europe being on the ‘cutting edge’ when it comes to all these anti-global warming tactics?

In terms of exploring all this energy trapped in the desert, check out the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Cooperation (TREC) – a group of scientists, engineers, politicians and business people working to tap into that energy source.

Also, check out Principal Voices – a great site covering the major issues facing the world today and our social responsibility with regards to those issues.

Lastly, check out one of the ‘principal voices’, Neil Gershenfeld (scroll down mid-page) – I actually met this guy when I did my little consulting thing in Chicago. He has founded these ‘Fab Labs’ that use 3-D printers to empower 10-year old kids in 3rd world countries to create just about whatever they want. Needless to say, when I met him he mentioned that he had just met with Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and Alan Greenspan, all together, to discuss the commercial potential of his ‘Fab Labs’. Wow.