With a dynamic industry such as the energy sector, constant changes in technology, efficiency, and manufacturing dictate how a market responds and plans for the future. It makes sense; why ride a horse and buggy when you can get an automobile? Why use oil lamps when you can use LED bulbs? Many are now asking a similar question: Why go solar now when the future could bring a new generation of more advanced Photovoltaic systems? It's a fair question, especially when you look at the trajectory in solar advancements in recent decades. In 1954, the first silicon solar panel was created, which had an approximate efficiency of 6%. It took until 2010 before the average commercial panel produced at around 12%. Today, panel efficiencies are approximately 17-19%, while many panels are even higher in the low 20%-range. This begs the question (or a host of questions really): how efficient can panels get? How long will they take to get there? How will costs change over this transition? A recent article from BBC tries to provide some clarity in an constantly changing field, and attempts to tackle these hard hitting questions.

Petroleum Goliath BP, or British Petroleum, recently announced a deal with massive implications towards a transition in sources of energy production and manufacturing. The deal was announced July 27th, a decision that came a year before schedule. CEO Bernard Looney, who had been making some moves in the right direction, takes a bounding step towards environmental responsibility with this change. In his words, "As we work to build a more focused, more integrated BP, we have other opportunities that are more aligned with our future direction ... Today’s agreement is another deliberate step in building a BP that can compete and succeed through the energy transition.”

The solar industry is constantly shifting, and at times it can be difficult to get a read on the trajectory. That is why it is so nice to see large companies making decisive movements towards renewable energy and a sustainable future. Although residential solar systems are going to play a large role in transitioning the U.S. towards a sustainable blend of energy, these massive projects are integral in making a statement to commercial industries, paving the road for further investment. CEO Ben Catt summarized this in saying "Ultimately, this means more clean energy for the planet and more jobs for the local community."

Wednesday morning, the New Mexico Public regulation Commission unanimously voted to transition the major utility PNM to total reliance on renewable energy. The decision was motivated by a state mandate that requires a move to 100% carbon-free electricity generation by 2050, which fits into the nation-wide plans to do the same in the coming decades. click title for more info

As the world continues towards the irreversible effects of climate change, countries like Germany, The Netherlands, and France are setting goals towards decelerating and mitigating the constant stream of heat-trapping green house gases in the atmosphere. These measure stretch from carbon taxes, renewable energy incentives, transportation sector overhauls, green architecture, and a shift from cradle to grave towards cradle to cradle manufacturing. Here in the U.S., we have laid out or own goals for reducing our emissions of green house gases. In 2009, The Obama Administration pledged that by 2050, the U.S. would reduce emissions by 80%. At the end of the day, carbon emissions break down to how a country produces and consumes energy. Barring political obstacles, this goal still requires a shift in energy consumption on the national level. This can take decades to organize, especially for a large country like the U.S. Therefore, the importance of corporate initiative cannot be overstated. Click title for more info