Renewable Energy at George Mason University and Around the Nation: Lessons Learned by One Faculty Member New to the Field

Together with an overview of renewable energy and renewable energy programs in the U.S., I discuss why faculty (especially physics faculty) should consider getting more involved in renewable energy. Students apparently need no such encouragement, but many schools (not including Mason!) have been slow to move into this area, despite evidence of strong student interest {\&} strong job prospects. The reasons for this hesitancy are also discussed. Finally, I discuss one recent effort (www.rev-up.org) to ``tunnel through'' one significant barrier facing faculty new to the field.