For Ausra President and CEO Robert Fishman, a world fueled by solar power is no longer just a pipe dream. The company develops large-scale solar thermal electric power stations to produce large amounts of electricity using solar energy.

Fishman told the Fox Business Network’s Liz Claman that the cost of the energy Ausra produces is low.

“We’re competitive with natural gas-fired power plants today assuming that the investment tax credit gets renewed, and if we get good carbon legislation we could be cost-competitive with coal in a couple of years as well,” Fishman said.

Fishman said now is a great opportunity for solar power to become a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

“I think our day has come because not only do we make technological improvements to make our tech more cost-effective, but the cost of traditional energy has gone up so rapidly that now we’re at a crossover point where renewables are economically competitive with tradition energy sources and I think it’s going to stay that way,” he said.

Fishman told Claman the company raised about $73 million. The Ausra CEO said he does see an IPO in the company’s future.

“Yes, we’re debating what the right timing for that is, but I think if you look at the capital needs of a company like ours, it’s inevitable,” he said.