Report: Solar Could Generate 15% of Power by 2020

According to a report from the Solar Energy Industries Association, solar power could provide 15 percent of America's power in the next 10 years if the federal government rolled back subsidies for fossil fuel or increased the same for clean energy sources.

The report, released jointly with solar industry groups representing more than 90 countries around the world, featured an "accelerated solar deployment scenario" outlining a plan for the U.S. to generate 15 percent of its energy from solar power by the dawn of the next decade with increased government support.

Federal fossil fuel subsidies totaled some $72 billion from 2002 to 2008, keeping prices artificially low and driving usage–and emissions–up. According to the Environmental Law Institute, the vast majority of federal energy subsidies supported high carbon pollution sources, comprising industries that have enjoyed heavy government support for many years. SEIA says solar got less than $1 billion during the same period.