Basic Research Needs for Solar Energy The is singular solution to our future energy needs capacity dwarfs fossil, nuclear, wind sunlight delivers more energy in one hour than the earth uses in one year free of greenhouse gases and pollutants secure from geopolitical constraints Enormous gap between our tiny use of solar energy and its immense potential Incremental advances in todays technology will not bridge the gap Conceptual breakthroughs are needed that come only from high riskhigh payoff basic research Interdisciplinary research is required physics, chemistry, biology, materials, nanoscience

sunlight delivers more energy in one hour than the earth uses in one year free of greenhouse gases and pollutants secure from geopolitical constraints Enormous gap between our tiny use of solar energy and its immense potential Incremental advances in todays technology will not bridge the gap Conceptual breakthroughs are needed that come only from high riskhigh payoff basic research Interdisciplinary research is required physics, chemistry, biology, materials, nanoscience Basic and applied science should couple seamlessly.