At this point in time, Americans seem eager to embrace solar energy as part of a lower-carbon–and more energy-independent–future. Solar incentive programs across the country are performing well (in some cases, too well for their own good), and as the cost of the technology begins to drop a little, solar is a better option than ever. But we have enormous amounts of work to do if we want to be true leaders in the solar industry: we manufacture some solar components on American soil, but much of the industry still relies on foreign-made parts.

Additionally, how do we make sure to avoid redundancies in solar R&D, or work to solve some of the biggest remaining challenges for solar, such as best grid integration practices and water resource management? US Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) is sponsoring a bill that may help the solar industry find the structure it needs to answer these questions. On her website, Giffords says:

This legislation is aimed at charting the course for federally funded solar research, development and demonstration projects…It will help the Department of Energy to allocate research and development funds wisely, thereby helping to advance emerging solar technologies quickly and effectively.

Giffords presented her “Solar Technology Roadmap Act” to the House Science & Technology Committee last week, where it received a warm enough welcome to send it out to the House floor at large.  As Renewable Energy World reports,

Giffords’ legislation would require the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to appoint a group of experts to create a long-term plan to guide solar energy research and its transition into commercial uses. The bill also authorizes $2.25 billion for solar research over the next five years.

The group would identify research and development that needs to occur to help improve the performance and reliability of solar technologies, decrease cost, reduce water use and mitigate any negative environmental impacts. It would be subject to a comprehensive revision every three years to keep it current.

The lack of industry-wide structure is not always a bad thing and has led to some very interesting developments, such as New Jersey’s pioneering REC solar incentive program, or Gainesville’s FIT, and solar manufacturing facilities in locations you might not normally expect. But providing clear oversight to the industry could help all sectors better identify unique goals and strategies for meeting them effectively.

We want America to be competing at the top of the industry, leading the way in solar research, development, and deployment. If it fights its way through Congress, Rep. Giffords’ Solar Roadmap may help us achieve just that.