Market For Solar Power ‘Huge’

Energy industry officials say there’s no need to wait for solar electricity to become feasible.

“We think that the market is here now,” said Robert Kelly, chief executive officer for Amoco/Enron’s Solar Power Development Corp. “And we think the market is huge.”

At a conference at Sun Valley on Monday, utility executives, energy industry officials and Department of Energy representatives brainstormed how to make solar electricity a mainstream product. It has huge worldwide potential, they said.

“There’s money to be made in solar technology for those farsighted enough to make the investment,” adds Christine Ervin, Department of Energy assistant secretary for renewable energy. “We’re moving beyond the ‘ifs’ and moving very strongly toward the ‘hows.’ “

About 250 utility, energy and solar industry officials are taking part in a three-day conference on opportunities for solar photovoltaic technology, known as PV technology.

Ervin said the Clinton administration supports investments in solar electricity and other forms of renewable energy. She expects fossil fuels to peak in importance by 2030 and slowly diminish, replaced by renewable energy forms.

Through the leadership and investments of Idaho Power Co., the conference’s lead sponsor, there are 21 solar electric installations in Idaho.

Other uses in Idaho include rural cabins built far from electric lines.

It costs an average of $30,000 a mile to extend power lines and $20,000 to $40,000 to install a rooftop solar electric system for a family of four, officials said.