Immense drive of the market for solar power generation

The photovoltaics industry generates €5.8m in sales globally. The average annual growth rate of 40% reflects the immense drive of the power generation market. International industry associations forecast that the global installed photovoltaic output will rise from currently 1,800 Megawatts to a total of 5,400 Megawatts by 2010.

Expansion of production capacities along the entire value-added chain

In 2005, the demand rose so much that a shortage of the raw material silicon, which is also used by the semiconductor industry, slowed growth down. “World-wide, there are massive investments being made into production capacities for silicon, solar cells and solar modules, creating the basis for the expansion of the photovoltaics market”, says Gerhard Stryi-Hipp, managing director of the German Solar Industry Association (BSW). “As technological leaders, German companies stand a good chance of benefiting from emerging international markets."

Reduction of silicon demand for solar cell production

At the same time, the industry has developed a whole range of concepts and processes to reduce the demand for material in the production of solar cells and to save costs. There will be a separate session dedicated to expert reports from industry and research on innovative processes such as the “string ribbon“ process and the latest developments in the production of thin film modules.

Great interest in the development of the US market

A second session focuses on the developments in the global market. The industry is particularly interested in the current market development in the United States. Even though there is no national subsidy programme, there are a number of regional programmes such as the one which was recently passed in California. The objective of the Californian programme is to expand the photovoltaic output to three Gigawatts by the year 2017. The US state intends to finance the construction of solar power stations with a total of .9b in subsidies.

Technical and organisational demands on rural electrification

The parallel session addresses an entirely different subject: rural electrification in Asia, Africa and South America. Even today, there are large regions which are not connected to the grid because this would not make economic sense. Alternatively, decentralized power supplies using photovoltaics are being set up. “The technical and organisational requirements for rural electrification projects are fundamentally different from the kind of photovoltaics projects which are being implemented in Germany”, explains Rafael Wiese of the Club for Rural Electrification (C.L.E.). “At the PV Industry Forum, international solar experts will be reporting from their electrification projects and list the success factors.“

Organisers and supporters

The PV Industry Forum is organised by Solar Promotion GmbH, Pforzheim and PSE GmbH, Freiburg. It is supported by the German Solar Industry Association (BSW) e.V., the German Energy Agency GmbH (dena) and the Club for Rural Electrification (C.L.E.). The organisers are expecting 120 participants and speakers from all over the world.

The 2nd PV Industry Forum at a glance

Date: Wednesday, 21st June 2006 10a.m. - 5p.m. Place: Konzerthaus, Freiburg i.Br., Germany. Target group: Decision-makers from the photovoltaics industry (producers, suppliers, retailers, associations). Participation fee: € 220

Further information, programme and registration: http://www.pvindustry.de
For further information on Intersolar 2006 visit http://www.intersolar.de

Solar Promotion GmbH (04/18/2006)

Decision-makers from the Solar Industry meet at the 2nd PV Industry Forum

After last year’s success, the 2nd PV Industry Forum, an expert conference held in English aimed at decision-makers from the international photovoltaics industry, will be taking place once again prior to Intersolar, Europe’s largest solar technology fair (Freiburg, 22nd - 24th June 2006).

The SPR-215 panel incorporates the company's uniquely attractive, all-black design that enhances the appearance of roof-mounted solar systems.

Image: SunPower Modules (5 kWp) in Osaka (Japan). Source: SunPower Corporation

Europe uses Sun’s Energy: EU Parliament installs solar domestic hot water system

After its official commitment to promote renewable energies in the heating sector, the EU is now setting a good example: At its parliamentary headquarters in Brussels, a solar system for hot water is being installed. The system comes from Austrian manufacturer TiSUN® - Made in Tirol by Teufel & Schwarz. Solar panels with a surface area of 28,8 m2 are being erected on the parliament building "D-4" in Rue de Trèves. In future, they will supply the energy for hot water in the building’s 54 shower cubicles. "The capacity is sufficient for 79 shower cubicles, in case the EU enlarges and other countries join", adds Robin Welling, TiSUN® Managing Director. The collectors supply about 63 % of the required energy, thereby reducing the EU Parliament’s CO2 emissions by nearly 4.5 tons annually and saving about 22,300 kWh of electricity.

"Europe has recognized the wave of the future and is off and running in an effort to partially replace conflict prone, unsecure and expensive fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas", explains Austrian parliamentarian Dr. Richard Seeber. The system will begin operation in the near future.
TiSUN® solar system for hot water on the parliamentary headquarters roof in Brussels.

From 2007, the Parliament will have an additional solar system. “It will supply the parliament restaurant with hot water. Each and every day about 1500 people eat there,” reports Wim Persoons, from the Sanutal Co., the exclusive distributor of TiSUN® in Belgium. "On the EU Parliament’s roof, the most modern state-of-the-art technology is being used", Robin Welling explains. The roof collectors provide the energy for three ProClean® stratified hot water storage tanks, each with a capacity of 500 litres. The spheric heat exchanger enables efficient stratified accumulation in the storage unit in the shortest possible time. A stainless steel corrugated pipe provides hygienic and bacteria-free water for domestic use. "A unique compact solar system with a 100% solar efficiency", assures Welling.

The EU leads by example

For ESTIF, the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation, the installation of this system sets an example of what should be included on all newly-built and renovated properties. The shift from the era of fossil fuels and nuclear energy to the era of renewable energy is proceeding at an ever faster pace. ESTIF Secretary General Uwe Brechlin reports: "Heating and cooling with renewable energies can be achieved anywhere in Europe, even in Brussels, where it rains so often. Europe recognizes and is taking advantage of the benefits of solar heating - such as environmental friendliness and reliability." In addition to this, the solar industry is a genuine engine for creating new work: it provides local jobs and retains the net worth within the region.

2 million m2 of new collector surfaces to be installed in 2006

Europe’s solar thermal sector currently provides jobs for about 20,000 people and generates an annual net value of about a billion Euros. More than a million families already enjoy the benefits of solar energy, both for space (central) heating and water heating. In 2006, it is estimated that more than 2 million m2 of new collector surfaces will be installed, creating a capacity of about 1.400 MWth. Three quarters of the EU’s market is presently concentrated in three countries: Austria (12%), Greece (14%) and Germany (47%). If the entire EU had the same per capita solar growth as Austria, about 7000 MWth of new capacity would go into operation each year in Europe.

EU-directive to replace fossil fuels and nuclear energy for heating and cooling

In order for solar thermal, biomass heat and geothermal to continue to grow in the EU, according to Brechlin, ambitious political goals are necessary as well as stable and steady support measures. By the end of this year, EU Energy Commissioner Piebalgs intends to present a legislative proposal to support renewable heating and cooling. "The directive will make sure that all EU countries participate to the same extent in this important future strategy, namely, to replace fossil fuels and nuclear energy also in the heating/cooling sector as quickly as possible with unlimited renewable energy", concludes Brechlin.

ESTIF - European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (04/06/2006)