[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 92 (Thursday, June 28, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1240-E1241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  FEDERAL PHOTOVALTAIC UTILIZATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES L. OBERSTAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 28, 2001

  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, the recent increase in oil prices has 
focused national attention on the benefits we could achieve by reducing 
our dependence on fossil fuels by meeting more of our energy needs from 
renewable sources, such as solar, wind, biomass and geothermal energy. 
Today, I am introducing legislation to promote one of the most 
promising of these technologies, solar photovoltaics.
  Quite simple, a photovoltaic, or PV, system converts light energy 
into electricity. The term ``photo'' is a stem word from the Greek 
``phos'' which means light. ``Volt'' is named for Allesandro Volta, a 
pioneer in the study of electricity. Photovoltaic literally means 
``light electricity''.
  PV generated power offers distinct advantages over diesel generators, 
primary batteries, and in some instances, over conventional utility 
power lines. PV systems are highly reliable, and have no moving parts, 
so the need for maintenance is virtually non-existent. This is one of 
the main reasons they are used in satellites today, for which 
maintenance is both costly and time consuming. In addition, PV cells 
use sunlight to produce electricity--and sunlight is free!
  The potential for photovoltaics is boundless. By way of illustration, 
solar panels in 1% of the Mojave Desert would provide enough energy to 
meet California's expected electric shortfall. The electricity needs of 
the entire United States could be met by panels in a 100 by 100 mile 
area in the South-Western United States.
  PV cells are ideal for supplying power to remote communication 
stations, such as those in our National Park system, and on 
navigational buoys. Because they burn no fuel and have no moving parts, 
PV systems are clean and silent. Compared to the alternative of burning 
kerosene and diesel fuels that contribute to global warming, this 
quiet, clean source of power becomes even more attractive.
  Another important feature of PV systems is their modularity--they can 
easily be adapted to any size, based on energy consumption. Homeowners 
can add modules as their needs expand, and ranchers, for example, can 
use mobile stations to produce electricity for pumps to water cattle as 
the animals are rotated to different grazing areas. After Hurricane 
Andrew in 1993 the Florida Solar Energy Center deployed several PV 
emergency systems right at the disaster locations where the energy was 
needed.
   Because a PV system can be placed closer to the user, shorter power 
lines can be used if power were brought in from a grid. Shorter lines, 
lower construction costs, and reduced paper work make PV systems 
especially attractive. Transmission and distribution upgrades are kept 
to a minimum, which is especially important in urban areas. PV systems 
can be sized, sited, and installed faster than traditional energy 
systems.
  I have had a longstanding interest in promoting the development of 
this technology. In June 1977 I introduced H.R. 7629, which established 
a program for the Federal government to encourage the development of PV 
technology by using it in federal facilities. At that time, 
photovoltaic technology was in its early developmental stage, and 
produced energy at a cost of more than $1.00 per kilowatt hour, 
compared to less than $.10 a hour for energy from fossil fuels. In 
these circumstances, there is a ``chicken and egg'' problem: because 
the technology is expensive, consumers will not purchase it, but, 
unless there are purchases, the produces will not be able to make the 
investments and engage in the large-scale production needed to being 
the cost down.
  The Federal government, which purchases billions of dollars of energy 
each year, is in a unique position of facilitate a breakthrough for 
photovoltaics. Under my 1977 bill, the Federal government would have 
purchased substantial quantities of photovoltaic technology. These 
purchases would have given industry the resources and incentives to 
develop the technology and mass production efficiencies necessary to 
make photovoltaics competitive.
  My 1977 bill became part of a larger bill to establish a 
comprehensive national energy policy, PL 95-619. Most unfortunately, 
the Reagan administration chose not to fund the bill, resulting in not 
only a lackluster renewable energy program but also a serious 
deterioration of national focus.
  The collapse of the oil cartel and the return of low oil and gas 
prices in the early 1980's had a chilling effect on federal renewable 
energy programs. Despite Congress' consistent support for a broader, 
more aggressive renewable energy program than either the Reagan or 
George H.W. Bush administrations supported, federal spending fell 
steadily through 1990. Funding for renewable energy R&D grew from less 
than $1 million on the early 1970's to over $1.3 billion in FY 1997, 
but then nose-dived during the Reagan and Bush administrations. Funding 
steadily declined during the 1980's to $136 million in FY 1990.
  The trend was reversed during the Clinton administration. In June 
1997 President Clinton announced the Million Solar Roofs Initiative. 
The program called for the installation of one million solar energy 
systems on homes and other buildings by 2010. In October 1997, 
President Clinton committed to placing 20,000 solar energy systems on 
Federal Buildings. So far the results have been encouraging--over 2000 
solar systems have been installed in federal facilities through the 
year 2000. For example, the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in San 
Francisco developed a solar hot water heating project, which qualified 
as part of the Federal commitment. The project was completed easily and 
quickly, cost less than $10,000 and has energy savings of $1,100 per 
year, which means that has a 9-year payback period.
  Just across the Anacostia River, here in the Nation's Capitol, at the 
Suitland Federal Center, the General Services Administration has 
installed a large PV system to supply electricity for the Federal 
center. From the Presidio in San Francisco to Fort Dix in New Jersey, 
the Federal government has installed numerous effective PV systems. 
Solar power is used extensively for diverse purposes in our National 
Park and National Forests--supplying lighting to the Tonto National 
Forest in Arizona and drinking water to hikers in the Rocks National 
Park in Lakeshore Michigan. The isolated research facilities at 
Farallon National Wildlife Refuge, California are powered by PV 
systems.
  During disaster relief activities solar power systems step in quickly 
to supply efficient, easy to install, mobile power sources. In addition 
to solar power in federal buildings, national parks, communications, 
and disaster relief activities, solar power is used extensively in 
transportation support--bus stop lighting, parking lot lights, railroad 
signal lights, traffic monitoring and control, Coast Guard lighthouses, 
beacons and buoys. Furthermore, the government is leading the way with 
innovative technologies for solar powered vehicles. The Department of 
Energy is the chief sponsor of the American Solar Challenge, which this 
year

[[Page E1241]]

will see solar power cars race from Chicago to Southern California, 
over the Great Plains, the Rockies and the great American desert. 
Clearly, solar power offers something for everyone.
  In October 2000, at the Utility Photovoltaic meeting in Baltimore, 
Department of Energy officials announced that more than 100,000 solar 
energy systems had been installed in the U.S. since the beginning of 
the solar roof initiative. Under the Clinton administration, the 
Department of Energy had organized 51 partnerships from coast to 
coast--dedicated to working on
  Through the efforts of the solar industry, with the support of the 
federal government, solar technology has made substantial progress in 
recent years. The cost has been reduced to $.20 per kilowatt hour, and 
further reductions are expected. As a result, sales are increasing at a 
dramatic rate. Sales of photovoltaics within the United States has been 
growing at a rate of 25% a year. The United States photovoltaics 
industry is a strong exporter, with almost 70% of U.S. production going 
to export sales. There is room for growth in our exports. Currently, 
the U.S. has about 20% of the world market and Germany and Japan each 
has a larger market share than our country.
  I believe that we need to continue the Federal government's role in 
promoting the development of this technology. The Federal government 
should continue to be a major customer, and help the technology reach 
its full potential. My bill will express Congressional support for the 
type of program established by the Clinton administration, and provide 
the necessary funding. My bill establishes a goal for the Federal 
government during the next five years to acquire photovoltaic systems 
for Federal buildings which will produce at least 150 megawatts of 
electricity. This will accomplish the goal of the 20,000 solar roof 
initiative. The bill authorizes appropriations of $210 million a year 
for the next five years, the level of funding needed to purchase 
approximately 18,000 photovoltaic systems. The bill also establishes a 
program for evaluation of the systems used in Federal facilities to 
ensure that the government is encouraging development of the most 
advanced technology.
  Mr. Speaker, using Federal government procurements to ``jump start'' 
a technology is not without precedent. In fact, photovoltaic technology 
itself is a product of space technology, and was advanced by NASA in 
the Hubble space station program. As a result, photovoltaic systems 
power nearly every satellite today as they circle the earth. Similarly, 
in the early days of the computer era the cost of microchips was 
prohibitive. Large-scale purchases by the government (NASA and DOD) 
helped bring the costs down to commercially competitive levels. As 
another example, the General Services Administration, using its FTS 
2000 telecommunications contact, was also successful in promoting 
advancements and enhancements in telecommunications.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe that the program established by my bill can 
make a major contribution to energy efficiency, protection of the 
environment and reduced dependence on foreign energy. I will be working 
to incorporate this program in any energy legislation passed in this 
Congress.

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