Solar Electricity: the global status of

photovoltaic power

(Click here to see the Powerpoint file of this presentation.)

 

Managing Director, IT Power Ltd, UK

The silicon photovoltaic cell, which converts sunlight directly to electricity, was invented just over fifty
years ago.  At first it was a novelty, too expensive for practical use.  Space applications, where cost was
not an issue, resulted in major investments in R & D and improvements in efficiency.  In the 1970’s
companies started producing PV modules for applications like telecommunications and signaling in
locations where conventional electricity was not available and PV was the most convenient and
least-cost power source.  The PV community has also worked hard to bring electricity for lighting and
other basic services to approximately 2 billion people in the developing world who do not have access
to modern energy.

There have been rapid advances in technology, but this is now driven by environmental and global
climate considerations in the developed countries, not the desire to bring electricity to the poor in
developing countries.  Over recent years, there has been exponential growth in the PV market thanks
to national programs, such as in Japan, and generous feed-in tariffs, like in Germany which is now
the worlds’ largest PV market.

In 2006, PV manufacture amounted to 2,500 MWp, a 40% increase over 2005.  PV is now is now big
business worth $20 billion/year.  The biggest producers are in Japan, but most rapid growth is in China,
which could become the world leader in two or three years.  The growth will continue, driven by such
factors as the European Union’s target of 20% of energy from renewables by 2020.

The paper describes the phenomenonal development of photovoltaics on a global basis.

Profile

Bernard McNelis is a leader in the world renewable energy community.  He is Managing Director, and
was Co-Founder of IT Power 25 years ago. He has 30+ years experience with renewable energy
technologies in industry and consulting practice.  He is an established international expert, and has
been engaged by most of the United Nations agencies, World Bank EU and UK Government
Departments, and has completed assignments in more than 50 developing countries. His work has
been recognized by several international awards, most recently the Robert Hill Award for the promotion
of Photovoltaics for Development, bestowed by the world PV community in Dresden in September 2006.