The MIT Energy Initiative announced the launch of the MIT Future of Solar Energy Study, the third in a series of faculty led, interdisciplinary studies that explore the contribution that different energy technologies could make to meet the future energy needs of the United States and the world. This study will investigate the technical, economic, and policy factors that will influence the future of solar energy and make recommendations about research, development, and demonstration directions, desirable (and undesirable) government policies, and needed industry action. This study will assess direct solar energy technologies, including solar heating and cooling, photovoltaics, central solar power, and solar production of fuel, such as hydrogen from water. The study will consider basic research, resource and materials availability, the engineering and manufacturing needed to meet specific market applications, and the current and projected production costs.
The faculty participating in the study are:
| Professor Angela Belcher | Department of Materials Science & Engineering |
| Professor Vladimir Bulovic | Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science |
| Professor Tonio Buonassisi | Department of Mechanical Engineering |
| Professor John Deutch | Department of Chemistry |
| Professor Michael Greenstone | Department of Economics |
| Professor Henry Jacoby | Sloan School of Management |
| Professor Ernest Moniz | Department of Physics |
| Professor Daniel Nocera | Department of Chemistry |
| Professor Richard Schmalensee | Sloan School of Management |
John Deutch will serve as chair of the study.
Students will participate in the study, and the study will have an outside advisory committee, chaired by Philip Sharp, President of Resources for the Future. The Chesonis Family Foundation and other foundations will support the study