Mirrors, gallium arsenide, the keys to solar power?

Just a discovery away from cost-effective solar power?

Researchers at Israel's Ben Gurion University are close to cost-effectively producing electricity from solar power via Concentrated Solar Power (CSP). The process utilizes mirrors to concentrate the sun's light by as much as a thousand times and directs that light towards a solar panel made via gallium arsenide, rather than silicon.

The researchers have helped form a company, Zenith Solar, to develop products using the new technology according to MSNBC.com.

While some researchers express caution regarding this innovative approach, it does seem to demonstrate why the U.S. should invest in such technology. Already some experts believe that cost effective solar power is just around the corner - at least in some areas.

"Solar power derived from conventional silicon could compete, without subsidies, in five years time in very sunny places such as Italy and parts of the United States, analysts say."

Considering the dangers of foreign oil, pollution and global warming, in addition to the growing demand for energy from places like China and India, it seems hard to believe that solar power won't play an important role. So, why is the U.S., again, such a laggard?

Has our fast food culture breed us for nothing but excelling at inefficiency and the status quo? Where's our kaizen? Our drive for innovation?