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philanthropy
Letting the Sun Shine:
solar institute powers Ahead
describe the GW Solar Institute, which was established through a
To combination of private, corporate, and foundation funds, as “energized”
would be an understatement. The institute has emerged as a formidable
clearinghouse on solar energy issues, forging ties to the White House, Congress,
and Department of Energy; advising states on alternative energy issues;
releasing numerous research reports; and unveiling preliminary results from
several ongoing projects.
“We’re excited about the progress that has been made,” said ken Zweibel,
director of the Solar Institute. “As I’ve said before, Washington, D.C., is a great
place to be, particularly in light of the ongoing discussions surrounding energy
legislation. There is a huge interest in solar energy and an equally large need
for objective information. With very large public and private investments and
important societal priorities at stake, we must be ready to help provide the
necessary information for sound decision-making.”
Among the projects the Solar Institute has been involved in since its creation
within Columbian College in 2008, is the Department of Energy’s Solar Vision
study. The project is a two-scenario assessment of the costs, challenges, and
benefits of using solar energy to supply 10-to-20 percent of U.S. electricity
demand by 2030. The study’s findings are expected to help U.S. policymakers
shape the direction of solar deployment.
In April, the institute announced a new partnership with lockheed Martin to
help prepare the next generation of solar leaders and hosted its second annual
symposium, “Challenges to Solar as a leading Solution to Climate and Energy
www.columbian.gwu.edu philanthropy page 34
Ken Zweibel speaks at the GW
Solar Institute Symposium.
Problems.” The day-long event brought
together key players in the solar energy
community, including alumni Jerry Bloom,
BA ’74, MA ’76, chair, Energy Practice, at
Winston & Strawn llP; debra Jacobson, JD
’77, co-director of the Solar Institute and
former legislative aid for the House Committee
on Energy and Commerce; and John Lushetsky,
MBA ’94, manager of the U.S. Department of
Energy’s Solar Energy Technology Program.
Among the challenges discussed were
deployment hurdles such as siting and
transmission, hidden subsidies to fossil fuels,
financing difficulties, grid issues, rate-making
policies, and infrastructure for fueling
electric vehicles.
The symposium served as the launch pad for
the Solar Institute Fellows Program, which
received generous funding from lockheed
Martin. The program offers a paid summer
internship at lockheed Martin and creates a
Solar Institute Fellow position for a graduate
student undertaking policy and legal research.