In January 2009, three leading solar energy researchers writing in Scientific American, proposed that by 2050 the United States could get all its electricity from solar panels in the Southwestern desert. Solar energy companies would require 46,000 square miles — about one-third of New Mexico, America’s fifth largest state. Al Gore repeated this proposal before the Senate Energy Committee in February, although he made the claim that only 10,000 square miles were needed, based on a questionable analysis of a California-based company.
All this may seem like doublespeak, but it’s being put into effect in California right now. The state has adopted a “renewable portfolio mandate,” which says that it must get 20 percent of its electricity from so-called “renewables” by 2020. This leaves solar energy companies in a position of buying anything some budding entrepreneur offers them. Thinly funded companies are furiously drawing up plans to fill California deserts with solar installations, knowing the utilities will have to buy anything they generate.
PG&E signed a large deal with Cleantech America, also based in San Francisco. As part of their agreement, Cleantech America will build a 5-megawatt solar plant near Fresno, California. The company said that when the facility is finished in 2009, it will be California’s largest solar power plant.
