News features, M.I.T. Technology Review. I wrote these two solar-energy news items for the Trend of Affairs department, which I managed. Together, they provide a rationale for understanding the slow progress of solar energy as a significant source of energy in the United States. The then current reports describing a cost target for making solar energy conversion competitive with conventional energy production based on fossil fuels did not include factors beyond hardware costs. At the time, the amortization of the huge existing energy capital plant and distribution systems was not appreciated as the "sea anchor" it really was in delaying any movement to innovative resources. The prices we are paying in the 21st century in terms of energy costs, pollution costs, health costs, and even political costs in defending the owners of petroleum reserves in the Middle East--perhaps the largest factor of all--have yet to be recognized.

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