In the new ‘On the Path to SunShot’ reports, the DOE has examined the progress made towards achieving the SunShot Initiative, which aims to make solar energy cost-competitive by 2020.
According to reports, the US solar industry is currently about 70% of the way towards achieving the goal.
Based on the lessons learned in the first five years of the ten-year initiative, the reports have identified key research, development, and market opportunities which can make solar energy technologies widely affordable.
The new study series also explores the areas of focus which can to help achieve the cost-competitive solar energy goal for the US.
US Energy Secretary Dr Ernest Moniz said: "Solar energy is an integral part of our nation’s ongoing energy revolution.
"The US has over 10 times more solar installed today compared to 2011 when the SunShot Initiative was first launched, and the overall costs of solar have dropped by 65%.
"The Administration’s continued efforts through the SunShot Initiative will help to further reduce costs to make solar energy more accessible and affordable for American families and businesses."
The On the Path to SunShot series has been developed by the DOE in collaboration with researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and Argonne National Laboratory.
The study concluded that sustained innovation from cell efficiency improvements andfaster and cheaper installation methods could help to achieve the SunShot goals.
The US DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) senior analyst and project manager Robert Margolis said: "We’re close to 70 percent of the way toward achieving the SunShot Initiative’s 2020 goals.
"These reports provide a perspective on how far we’ve come and how much more can be done to advance solar technologies."
