Solar Support Research Report Title

What is the Solar Futures Study?

The Solar Futures Study is a report by the U.S Department of Energy's Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) that explores the role of solar energy in achieving a decarbonized grid by 2035 and a decarbonized energy system by 2050. The Solar Futures Study does research, development, demonstration, and deployment assistance for solar energy.

How can a detailed analysis of solar investments help countries?

Detailed analysis of solar investments can help countries, policymakers, financial institutions, and decision-makers in understanding the current status as well as the trends in the solar investment landscape and guide them in making focused interventions to accelerate solar energy adoption and clean energy transition. 4.1. Global solar investments

Is solar energy a competitive resource?

Regardless of the competitiveness on a levelized cost basis of solar electricity relative to fossil-based or nuclear-based electricity, the value of electricity produced from an intermittent resource is not the same as the value of energy that can be provided on demand.

Does solar energy provide R&D opportunities?

The associated hardware of delivering power from solar cells to homes and businesses, and storing this intermittent resource on the grid, offer R&D opportunities. Lewis reviews the status of these areas, as well as solar thermal and solar fuels approaches for harnessing solar energy. Science, this issue p. 10.1126/science.aad1920

Who contributes to solar energy financing?

Private actors have been the main contributors to solar energy financing; this is evident from the fact that the share of the private sector in the solar sector accounts for ∼86% of total investments, with project developers occupying the major share of ∼56%.

What is the status of solar technology developments?

The paper outlines the status of solar technology developments as covered in the World Solar Technology Report. A steady trend in technology improvements is observed, with crystalline solar PV being the dominant technology in the market.