So here's an interesting tidbit: 64% of residential solar installation costs are "soft costs"[1]. Hardware has become so cheap, that inefficiencies in project development are now the biggest chunk of project costs.
A lot of those inefficiencies can be solved with software, and the impact of software on the industry will be massive. Right now, you're starting to see solar reach grid parity (i.e. unsubsidized cost <= utility rate) in several states. By increasing inefficiency and lowering soft costs with software, solar will be able to reach grid parity in most if not all states. The same is starting to happen internationally, too.
Other new energy sectors are taking off, too, and there's so much room for software improvement in them, too.
A lot of those inefficiencies can be solved with software, and the impact of software on the industry will be massive. Right now, you're starting to see solar reach grid parity (i.e. unsubsidized cost <= utility rate) in several states. By increasing inefficiency and lowering soft costs with software, solar will be able to reach grid parity in most if not all states. The same is starting to happen internationally, too.
Other new energy sectors are taking off, too, and there's so much room for software improvement in them, too.
Disclosure: I wrote the posted article.
[1]: http://www.nrel.gov/news/press/2013/5306.html