While the majority of the eco-conscious world eagerly wait for the moment at which renewables are more profitable and reliable than fossil fuels, MIT is shortening the wait-time with their new Clean Energy Accelerator, which renders solar power cheaper, cleaner and ultimately more efficient.

'Grid parity' is the point at which solar energy becomes as easy to adopt for a homeowner as fossil fuels are, due to their respective availability in the market. Though forecasters have predicted this wouldn't happen for decades, MIT's Engineering Systems Division is intent on proving that estimate wrong. Although the system itself is incredibly complicated, Assistant Professor Jessika Trancik (pictured above) is willing to break down the concept: The Clean Energy Accelerator uses complex mathematics to discover which materials, components and chemical processes will yield the best and cleanest solar cells. Within months, the team should have newer panels that yield more energy, produce fewer by-products and are infinitely cheaper.

Onwards, to carbon neutrality!