Energy from the sun: Evolution of federal support for solar energy

Early civilizations workshipped the sun and relied upon it as a source of energy. Later, with the discovery of oil and coal, man looked to a new deity, fossil fuel, and the sun's importance as an energy source began to wane. Events in the last twenty years, however, indicate the sun is more important than ever as a future source of renewable energy. But, the development and commercial application of solar energy technologies will never occur without the commitment of the American people and their elected representatives in Congress.