A new podcast series from the International Energy Agency opens with the story of solar power. It is the first of three episodes on energy innovation. The first episode traces the silicon cell that a telephone company in the United States built during the 1950s. Half a century later, Chinese factories expanded panel manufacturing on a scale nobody had seen. Supportive policies then pushed the price down until the technology reached ordinary rooftops.
Solar photovoltaic capacity is now growing faster than any other energy source worldwide. The programme does not hide the difficulties that come with such speed. Output varies with the weather, so networks must balance supply carefully. Manufacturing also depends on a small number of suppliers, which leaves the chain exposed. Guests from industry argue that further innovation can ease these problems without erasing them. The episode is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.