Last year, the news in renewable energy was about wind. Now its PV’s turn. In a new report by Technical Insights “Photovoltaic Materials: Analysis of Emerging Technology Markets,” the authors predict that while PV sales will reach only $2 billion this year, by 2005, PV manufacturing capacity will need to double from present levels to keep up with demand. The market for PV materials may reach $12 billion by 2010. Although
PV power will capture only a small fraction of the energy market at the beginning of the century it is poised to make significant inroads thereafter. Contact Leo O’Connor
In the U.S., utilities are most likely to purchase PV as part of an energy package to offset peak demand according to the study, “4.5 Megawatts of PV and Counting: Technical and Business Experiences of TEAM-UP Program Partnerships.” TEAM-UP is a public-private investment program to promote solar electricity. Utility PhotoVoltaic Group – 100 electric service providers from eight countries – produced the report. They found that distributed PV located on customer properties is popular, contradicting the widely-held assumption that systems will gain wider acceptance as large-scale power plants.
To counter the currently limited role PV plays in the U.S. energy market, and the fact that the U.S. has lost its lead in the worldwide market, the U.S. Department of Energy proposes a five year research and development business plan for PV technology. “Energy for the New Millenium” also sets strategies and goals through 2020.
The strategy is to develop cost-competitive and high efficiency grid-connected PV technology that runs on AC current rather than today’s DC current. Total costs, including operation and maintenance, must drop to $3 per watt by 2010 and to $1.50 by 2020. By 2030, module efficiency must reach 25 percent and system costs must drop to $1 per watt.
The final version of Texas’ new Renewable Energy Mandate Rule is on the web. The most progressive rule to date, it mandates that 2,000 MW of new renewables be built in Texas by 2009; 400 MW by 2003, another 450 MW by 2005, another 550 MW by 2007, and another 600 MW by 2009. A Renewable Credits Trading Program begins January 1, 2002 and continues through 2019.
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