Article at a glance
Solar energy is becoming more economically attractive as technologies improve and
the cost of electricity generated by fossil fuels rises.
By 2020, hundreds of billions of dollars of investment capital will probably boost
global solar-generating capacity 20 to 40 times higher than its current level.
As the new sector takes shape, producers of solar components must drive their
costs down, utilities must place big bets despite enormous technological uncertainty,
and regulators must phase out subsidies with care.
The actions these players take will determine the solar sector’s scale, structure, and
performance for years to come.