GROWTH IN PHOTOVOLTAICS BRINGS NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE SOLAR INDUSTRY
PV Energy World Special Exhibit at Intersolar Europe 2012 showcases innovative solutions for the power supply of the future
Munich, 07.02.2012 – 2011 was a record year both for Intersolar Europe and the international solar industry, with the expansion of newly-installed photovoltaic capacity reaching a new high. With 18 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of solar power generated during the year, 2011 saw photovoltaics conquer a larger share of the German energy production market than hydropower for the first time. The increasing market share occupied by solar power highlights the opportunities that could be enjoyed by the technology in future energy supply. In order to exploit these opportunities effectively, the solar industry is working at full steam to create new solutions, such as grid integration and energy storage systems. The PV Energy World Special Exhibit at Intersolar Europe 2012 presents the latest developments in technology and reveals both the measures and the political conditions that are necessary to achieve the highest possible quotas of solar power generation.
In 2011, solar plants with a total capacity of at least 26.5 gigawatts (GW) were installed across the globe. In Germany alone, around 7.5 GW of new photovoltaic capacity was added, exceeding even the previous record year of 2010. This takes the total capacity installed in Germany to 24 GW. With 18 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of solar power produced during the year, 2011 saw photovoltaics conquer a larger share of the German energy production market than hydropower for the first time – and this share is set to grow further. According to estimates from BSW-Solar (German Solar Industry Association) in Berlin, solar power production will see a further 70% rise in the next four years alone. This would mean that, by 2016, 7% of the German energy mix would be supplied from PV systems. In order to take full advantage of this capacity in future, the industry needs to address grid stability, intelligent solutions for on-site consumption and efficient, economical storage as a matter of priority.
Innovative solutions for future energy supply
As the demands on infrastructure increase, so the industry gains new potential for value creation. Only recently, when the latest amendments were made to the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), was the route paved for improving the grid integration of photovoltaics. The new Low Voltage Directive has been in force since January 1, 2012. Inverter manufacturers played a significant role in developing both this directive and corresponding solutions that have integrated mechanisms for controlling effective power. Thanks to the new standard, it will be possible to install significantly higher numbers of PV plants in future and integrate them into the low voltage grid. Even the on-site consumption of solar power and new storage technologies may, in future, also play their part in easing the burden on the grid and boosting photovoltaics’ contribution to energy supply.
