Advances in Solar Energy

Eli Yablonovitch was an employee of Exxon in the late 1970s. After the 1973 oil crisis, Yablonovitch began researching solar energy. His goal was to create more efficient and inexpensive tools for converting solar energy into power. Exxon supported his work until oil prices dropped and, once again, it became the most popular energy source.

Today, solar energy has become a major focus of the energy industry and people are realizing the importance of creating tools such as those Yablonovitch envisioned. Had his work been continuously supported, the U.S. would have made huge strides in alternative energy. However, China has now become the major contributor to the production of solar energy.

Yablonovitch's story demonstrates the importance of supporting alternative energy research. Had his work been supported in the 1970s, the U.S. and the world as a whole would be better equipped to produce and sustain alternative energy sources.

http://blogs.wsj.com/venturecapital/2011/03/14/sun-shines-on-yablonovitchs-research-but-it-took-years/?KEYWORDS=solar+energy