Solar PV: The Path From Niche to Mainstream Supplier of Clean Energy

The technology development path that has enabled a 10-fold reduction in the price of PV generated power since 1979 will be reviewed, and the roadmap for the next ten years outlined. This shows that within the next decade, PV generated electricity will be cost-effective for grid connected applications without the need for incentives. It is expected that by 2015, 18% of new electric generation capacity worldwide will be from PV. PV will then begin taking its place as a major contributor of clean energy.

Presenter(s)

Dr. Swanson co-founded SunPower in 1985. He has served as the president and chief technology officer since June 2003 and has been a member of the board of directors since 1985. Prior to his current position, Dr. Swanson served as chief executive officer and president from 1991 to June 2003 and vice president and director of technology from 1990 to 1991. From 1976 to 1991, Dr. Swanson served as a professor of electrical engineering at Stanford University. He holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University and both a bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering from Ohio State University.