At present, no Solar cell company has been able to establish itself and survive in the face of carbon industry up front costs without government subsidies anywhere in the world. Solyndra and its peers will not be self sustaining in the near future.

Their primary function in our culture and society is as a technology feeder for the rest of American industry. Solyndra, even its failure, has provided work and training for workers who are now going to other companies in the electronics field. If you want to redevelop American industry, you have to create the conditions to make it possible.