Area Development
In its Solar Generation 6 report, Greenpeace and the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) say that solar power has the potential to be the top source of clean energy for the entire globe, due to the sun's limitless power. Solar energy has none of the material constraints of fossil fuels, and has a light environmental footprint.

More than 1,000 companies currently produce "crystalline silicon" products used to make solar photovoltaic (PV) components. Still more are pushing the boundaries of this industry. Plus, prices for PV parts are expected to drop up to 60 percent from current levels by 2020.

Europe has led PV installations over the past 10 years, followed by Japan, the United States, and China. China's installation rate remains low compared to these other nations.