A breakthrough in the provision of energy from the sun for the European Economic Community (EEC. could be brought forward by up to two decades.if a modest increase could be provided m e EEC s research effort in this field according to the senior EEC scientists engaged in experiments in solar energy at EECs scientific laboratories at Ispranear Milan.
The senior West German scientist in charge of the Community s solar energy programme Mr. Joachim f^tittold journalists that at present levels of research spending it was most unlikely that solar energy U d Provide as much as three percent of the Community s energy requirements even after the year .But he said that with a modest increase in the present sums, devoted by the EEC to this work it possible that the breakthrough could be achieved by the end of the next decade.
Mr. Gretz calculates that if solar energy only provided three percent of the EEC s needs,thu still produce a saving of about a billion pounds in the present bill for imported energy each year believes that with the possibility of utilizing more advanced technology in this field it might be po?tiblc satisfy a much bigger share of the Communitys future energy needs.
At present the EEC spends about $2.6 millions a year on solar research at Ispraone of the ￡Ec, official joint research centers,and another $ 3 millions a year in indirect research with universities other independent bodies.