Shiny, black, space-age panels. Thin-film technology. Photovoltaics. The futuristic trappings of solar energy have many of us convinced that widespread installation is still a techie’s pipe dream—mere fodder for science-fiction novels, with heavy emphasis on fiction.

Modern solar technology comes in many shapes and sizes. Long known for uncomplicated on-site use, solar energy is also easily integrated to the grid with the technological capabilities of a modern system. Producing and selling energy from the sun is not only possible, it’s profitable.

The promise of solar energy seems too good to be true: endless, boundless, pollution-free energy. To date, it’s a promise not yet fully realized. Historically prohibitive high costs are falling, but market uncertainty and inconsistent regulations keep investors on the sidelines. Tools for a bright future include forward-thinking public policies to ease substantial deployment of this ever-improving, clean energy technology.