Duke Energy in North Carolina is experimenting with distributed power generation.  According to Scientific American’s 60 Second Science Blog, the company will spend around $50 million to install photovoltaic panels atop commercial buildings, residences and other property around North Carolina.  The intent of the project is to explore the feasibility of distributed generation of power along with gaining experience in using solar power in an electric grid.  Hopefully the results of the project will not be held proprietary, in order for other energy companies to consider similar efforts.  A bottom-up project like this (compared to the top-down regulation that can rub companies the wrong way) may be more successful in part due to less resistance.  Companies may be more likely to try and compete rather that submit to new regulations.