After Four Years of Photovoltaic Research Study, NREL Is Just Getting Going

• When the Solar Energy Research Institute was first visualized, the United States was only months out of the oil stoppage situation of 1973-- 74. The brand-new research study institute was a reaction to this crisis as well as part of a national initiative to find new, more reliable sources of energy.

In the 43 years considering that, the Solar Energy Research Institute-- now referred to as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)-- has been a driving force in the advancement of solar photovoltaic or pv (PV) power.

From $76 per watt in 1977, the expense of silicon solar cells has fallen to $0.20 per watt in 2020. Electrical power from solar energy is cost-competitive with the majority of other sources, as well as regarding 35% of brand-new electrical energy generation yearly originates from new PV systems. But NREL researchers are not stopping right here. They picture a future where PV is anywhere. See why in this new video clip from NREL.