The solar radiation that reaches the earth represents between 6,000 and 10,000 times as much energy as the entire planet now consumes. So in absolute terms, solar power could provide an inexhaustible source of energy. All we need to do is “tap” a tiny amount of it to cover all of our needs and those of future generations. In theory, photovoltaic systems could convert as much as 84% of the energy of photons — the “light packets” sent by the sun — into electricity, instead of the 15 to 20% they do now… so still plenty of work ahead!
Despite the sector's boom, solar energy will have to achieve economies of scale and undergo major restructuring to truly reach adulthood. Over the next ten years, the photovoltaic sector will invest considerable capital — no less than $700 billion — to attain a worldwide capacity of 200 GWp in 2020.
Challenging projects have been raised to stimulate creativity and we are living a great moment plenty of opportunities for new inventions and discoveries. One of theses Challenges is the Swiss solar plane “Solar Impulse” whose objective is to complete a roundtrip flight around the World by 2014. Its success relies in great portion on much more efficient solar cells and batteries than we have nowadays.
