Direct conversion of solar energy to electricity by photovoltaic devices (solar cells) offers what may be the most promising of nearterm solutions to our energy problems. The federal government has been pushing the commercialization of photovoltaics by funding research on new materials and manufacturing processes.
Earliest commercialization is expected in residential systems where the power grid provides the backup. The Florida Solar Energy Center has been operating a 5 kw experimental residential facility for several months with encouraging results. Although the present payback rate is not attractive, the system is reliable and has produced 500 to 600 kilowatt- hours of energy in the poorer winter months at Cape Canaveral