New Book: SOLAR REVOLUTION: The Economic Transformation of the Global Energy Industry

(CSRwire) Cambridge, MA. As the energy crisis escalates -and the price of gas and electricity with it- a new book predicts that in the next two decades, solar will become the cheapest energy source for most applications, and will be widely adopted by consumers in both the developed and developing worlds. The book's author, Travis Bradford, President and Founder of the Prometheus Institute for Sustainable Development- www.prometheus.org - will be visiting a number of U.S. cities in September and October, 2006 to discuss the book and meet with businesses, energy industry representatives, policy makers and renewable energy advocates.

SOLAR REVOLUTION: The Economic Transformation of the Global Energy Industry (MIT Press) goes beyond moral and altruistic arguments for solar energy to show how today's dramatically changing market forces point to solar as the inevitable energy source of tomorrow's self-interested consumers. The book is available through the MIT Press in individual or bulk order by calling 1-800-405-1619 in the US and Canada or by visiting http://mitpress.mit.edu.

In SOLAR REVOLUTION, Bradford predicts an inevitable shift to solar energy that will transform everyday life as radically as did the last century's revolutions in information and communication technologies. Bradford considers the pros and cons of other renewable energy sources including nuclear, hydroelectricity, wind, geothermal, and biomass but predicts that solar energy will become the cheapest for two reasons. First, solar energy already cost-effectively supplies a portion of utilities¡¦ needs for daytime electricity, and its competitiveness is growing rapidly. And secondly, photovoltaics, distributed on a small scale instead of on today's industrial-size electricity grids, will begin to unravel the economies of scale that Edison¡¦s electricity transmission created over the last century.

What Others Are Saying About SOLAR REVOLUTION:

"Solar Revolution is an essential read because it analyzes the transformation of the global energy economy... a positive vision of a sensible, practical, sustainable energy future."
~Bill Richardson, Governor of New Mexico and former US Secretary of Energy

"Everyone who wants to understand the permanent energy answer that can reverse climate change, eliminate oil shocks, and avoid future Chernobyls should read this book. Bradford builds a compelling business case that solar energy is the most disruptive technology in history."
~ Denis Hayes, Former Director, U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory

"[Solar Revolution] is a timely and much-needed book. With a business perspective and a wealth of knowledge about the solar industry and the wider energy economy, Travis Bradford provides an excellent account of solar energy today."
~ Dan Kammen, Founding Director of the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley

Anyone with a professional or personal interest in energy issues is cordially invited to join Travis Bradford and the Prometheus Institute at events scheduled in the following U.S. cities: San Francisco; Santa Fe; New York; Burlington, VT; Tuscon; and Seattle;. Call Kate Cell at the Prometheus Institute to request an invitation: 617-868-0337 x 106, or e-mail solarrev@prometheus.org.