pt. 1. Macroeconomic and distributional dimensions of energy shocks -- pt. 2. Social, local and environmental impacts of changes in the energy market -- pt. 3. The impacts of bio and alternative fuels -- pt. 4. Conclusions.

Time was when solar energy was facilely dismissed as impractical, inefficient, and pricey. In recent years, however, innovations in technology, regulation, and financing have resulted in remarkable efficiency improvements and price reductions, thereby reversing the skepticism about this...