Where I think government has a role is encouraging innovation that would get us to grid parity.

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By 2015, Clean Edge reports, solar-generated electricity will reach grid parity for residential customers in 11 states.

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And even in this hostile and historically low cost environment, solar and wind are poised to storm the kingdom with a goal of grid parity.

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Grid parity is within sight in some markets already.

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Grid parity is that Eden where renewable electricity (solar in this case) can compete with the combination of conventional sources of power already on the grid coal, natural gas and uranium.

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As a consequence, we are now able to talk seriously about grid parity of solar resources, and sun-drenched Spain has gotten to the point that utility-scale programs can be envisioned without subsidies.

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It also involves the deployment of low concentrating solar technology at a new scale, providing an indication of more such projects and efficiency improvements to come as solar energy marches towards grid parity.

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It has brought solar panel costs down dramatically over just a few years, bringing grid parity within sight in a number of markets, and kicking off what many see as a potential long-term energy revolution.

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