"Solar photovoltaic electricity has the potential to supply
energy to over 4 billion people by 2030 if adequate policy measures
are put in place today," said Ernesto Macias, EPIA President, as
the report was presented at a major conference on photovoltaic (PV)
energy in Spain.
Now in its fifth edition, Solar Generation confirms the impressive
growth of the solar energy sector and demonstrates its potential of
becoming a global energy contributor. By 2030, it estimates that
over 1800 GW of photovoltaic systems will have been installed
worldwide. This represents over 2600 TWh of electricity produced
per year, or 14% of global electricity demand. This is enough power
to supply over 1.3 billion people in developed areas and over 3
billion people in remote rural areas who currently have no access
to mains electricity.
"Solar electricity could help cut up to 1.6 billion tonnes of
CO2 emissions by 2030,
equivalent to the emissions of 450 coal-fired power plants," said
Sven Teske, energy expert from Greenpeace International and
co-author of the study. "Tackling climate change requires a
revolution in the way we produce and use energy - solar is a major
part of this solution."
The Solar Generation scenario also shows how solar electricity
will contribute towards creating green-collar jobs. Currently,
almost 120,000 people are employed in this sector; most of the jobs
- involving the installation, maintenance and sale of PV systems -
are created locally and boost local economies. In 2020, over 2
million people are expected to be working in the sector. By 2030,
employment in the sector could account for almost 10 million people
worldwide.
Today, the majority of installed PV systems benefit from
well-designed grant support, in particular the feed-in tariff
mechanism. This provides fair remuneration to the investor, and
rewards the effort made in investing in a clean energy source.
Solar energy is becoming more economically viable and should become
cost-competitive with conventional energy by 2015 in southern
European countries and by 2020 across most of Europe.
The future renewable energy sources Directive at EU level is
expected to reinforce the current legal framework and could
facilitate the implementation of the feed-in tariff scheme
throughout Europe. "The ball is now in the hands of European
decision-makers who can take the opportunity this new Directive
presents to show Europe's leadership in the development of
renewable energy sources," Macias concluded.
Other contacts: Marie Latour, EPIA Communication Department, +32 4 79 20 29 59
Sven Teske, Greenpeace International, +49 171 878 7552
Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 20 718 24 70
Notes: 1. The European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) and Greenpeace have produced this fifth edition of Solar Generation to update our understanding of the contribution that solar power can make to the world's energy supply. This joint initiative adopted the title Solar Generation because it aims to define the role that solar electricity will play in the lives of a population born today and developing into an important energy consumption group. 2. The scenario is presented in two ways - into the four main global market divisions (consumer applications, grid-connected, off-grid industrial and off-grid rural), and into the regions of the world as defined in projections of future electricity demand made by the International Energy Agency. These regions are OECD Europe, OECD Pacific, OECD North America, Central and South America, East Asia, South Asia, China, the Middle East, Africa and Economies in Transition. 3. Greenpeace and the European Photovoltaic Industry Association are urging governments to secure those investments with support programmes. The most successful scheme is a "feed-in tariff" which guarantees a specific price for each kilowatt-hour fed into the grid. Many countries, states and provinces already introduced the "feed-in tariff" - consumer can operate a solar system on their rooftop economically.