The Spanish government shut down a program to subsidize the cost of installing solar voltaic panels. They once had hopes of being the world leading in solar and wind energy installations. However, the current costs are just to high and the leaders decided it was just too big a risk for the country given the current economic climate.

Spain installed over half the total capacity in solar generation in 2008 as measured in wattage. In late 2008, they tried to reduce the cost impacts by capping the subsidies and in 2009, decided the cost was just too high. The solar market in Spain is collapsing, which will increase supplies in the rest of the world, thus causing market problems all over. Wind energy continues to enjoy a growth in Spain. They are second to the United States in wind power generation. Wind supplies nearly 11 percent of the power in Spain and is still growing. That compares to just 1 percent generated by solar.

The question must be asked as to whether this technology should be pushed upon the public before the costs are competitive with other methods? Are we spending in another area that seems destined to put us even further in the hole?

It is my opinion that this technology is not yet ready for commercial, widespread use. The efficiencies are terrible. The technology to store energy for nights and cloudy days is only in its infancy. Rather than pouring money into installation programs that are nearly certain to become obsolete at best, we should be spending all of the money on research to develop a commercially viable technology. How long will that take? I have no idea. That is why it is called research. You know, search for an answer and re-search until the right answer is found. It is just impossible to know in advance how many roads or trails must be followed until the end is found. I believe that solar and hydrogen generation is our energy future but not by 2012 or even 2020 but it might be!