(January 16, 2005) -- News that researchers have invented a flexible plastic solar cell material said to be capable of turning up to 30% of the sun's power into electricity (a breakthrough beyond the 6% efficiency now in use) caught the attention of former 9th district LB Councilman Jerry Shultz.

Shultz was a staunch supporter of solar energy while on the City Council...and practices what he preaches: his ELB home is solar equipped and he's plugged in.

When we emailed him of news of the photovoltaic advance -- to view it via Reuters, click "Canadian Researcher Invents New Solar Cell" -- he'd already heard about it.

"I am aware of this new breakthrough. It will increase solar PV [photovoltaic] efficiency to 30%. This will ultimately further reduce the cost of solar technology," said Shultz...who added he'd just taped an edition of In Your Backyard,, Charter Cable's award winning show on environmental issues.

Mr. Shultz told LBReport.com via email:

"If we built a solar PV site that covered 100 square miles of the California or Arizona desert, it would provide enough electricity to satisfy the entire country's needs. That would be ten miles in each direction like a square.

"If we invested the money we spend in one year on oil in this country in solar instead, it would provide 1/5 of the country's needs. If we did this for just five years, we would be truly energy independent and free from Middle East entanglements.

"If all the commercial and industrial buildings in California had solar PV on their roofs, it would provide 1/3 of California's electricity needs."