The sunny side of solar power

摘要

WHEN I DISCUSS renewable energy with friends the conversation nearly always turns to solar power. Often I find myself saying that its prospects in the UK are poor. I can see the disappointment on their faces and I quickly realise that I have said the wrong thing. It is not just that I should be less forthright. I should also remember that, of all the renewables, solar power is the one most likely to benefit from new inventions and dramatic breakthroughs. As soon as I have voiced my initial scepticism my thoughts turn to the fact that the technology has great potential.