Posted on March 7, 2013 by Terrence Isert

The New York Times’ David Bornstein thinks so. Apparently so does Warren Buffet. His MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company floated a first-ever $850 million bond offering for Topaz Solar Farm, a U.S. photovoltaic power project — which was reportedly oversubscribed by $400 million.   The article in the Times profiles Mosaic, a start-up investment start-up in Oakland, CA that rolled out an online crowdfunding platform for small, non-accredited investors to pony up as little as $25 for solar investments for a 4.5% return. The star-tup raised the $313,000 in 24 hours instead of the 30 days the firm had projected.

Solar energy has become an increasingly cost-effective option. The article cites reports that innovations in solar panel technology and manufacturing has dropped the retail price of panels by 80% over the past 5 years. This development and other key strategic partnerships have allowed First Solar, a solar energy generator to provide power to El Paso Electric, a Texas utility at around half the price per kilowatt as compared to coal-burning power plants. Is Solar energy finally coming of age? If it hasn’t already, it appears to be on a horizon that is fast approaching. Read the entire NY Times article here.