Myth 1: Solar cannot meet even a fraction of U.S. or world electricity needs.
PV technology CAN meet electricity demand today. The solar energy resource in a 100-mile-square area of Nevada could supply the United States with all its electricity (about 800 gigawatts) needs. A more realistic scenario involves distributing PV systems throughout the 50 states. The land or roof requirement to produce 800 gigawatts would average out to be about 17 x 17 miles per state.
PV strength is that is can provide electricity when and where energy is most limited and most expensive. It displaces the right portion of the load, shaving peak demand during periods when energy is most constrained and expensive.
Myth 2: Solar can do everything — right now!
Solar will eventually become a major player in the world's energy portfolio, but the industry just doesn't have the capacity to meet all demands right now. However, assuming that the proper investments are made now and sustained, the industry will become significant in the next few decades.
Myth 3: PV cannot significantly offset environmental emissions.
PV systems produce no atmospheric emissions or greenhouse gases. Compared to fossil-generated electricity, each kilowatt of PV electricity annually offsets up to 16 kilograms of nitrogen oxides, 9 kilograms of sulfur oxides, and 2,300 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2). If the industry grows by 25% per year (as predicted), PV in the United States will offset 10 million metric tons of CO2 per year by 2027.
Myth 4: PV is a polluting industry.
The PV industry is neither "squeaky clean" nor a major environmental, safety, or health problem. When it comes to emissions, PV's electricity-generating portion of the fuel cycle is the clear winner vs fossil fuel sources. However, semiconductor processing can involve the use of chemicals and toxic materials.
Some 80% of the current PV industry is silicon. Basically, it uses the same processing as the semiconductor industry. PV materials that incorporate heavy metals or toxic materials are continuously scrutinized to ensure safety.
Myth 5: PV is merely a cottage industry, appealing only to small niche markets.
Solar is a real business, and one that has been growing by more than 35% per year for the past 2 years. In 2001, PV module shipments closed in on the 400-megawatt mark, representing a $2.5 to $3 billion market. The U.S.- based industry itself is now approaching $1 billion per year and providing 25,000 jobs. It's expected to grow to the $10-$15 billion level in the next 20 years, providing 300,000 jobs by 2025. This sustained growth exceeds that of the semiconductor industry.
Myth 6: PV is too expensive and will never compete with "the big boys" of power generation.
The cost of producing PV modules, in constant dollars, has fallen from as much as $50 per peak watt in 1980 to as little as $3 per peak watt today. This causes PV electricity costs to drop 15¢-25¢ per kilowatt hour (kWh), which is competitive in many applications.
The energy payback period is also dropping rapidly. For example, it takes today's typical crystalline silicon module about 4 years to generate more energy than went into making the module in the first place. The next generation of silicon modules, and thin-film modules, will soon further quicken the rate of payback.
Myth 7: Nothing remains to be done. Essential R&D is complete, just let the industry fight it out.
As high-tech energy production, PV has immense potential to evolve, develop, and advance. Technologies still have substantial potential for improvement.
There is much important R&D still to be performed, not just on cells and modules, but also on balance-of-systems components and on systems themselves.
Many new and next-generation materials, devices, and physics are only concepts. Among these will be authentic breakthroughs that will boost PV to the next performance level.