After three years of decrease, the German market is growing once again with 2,233 MW installed in 2006, establishing Germany’s total installed capacity at 20,622.9 MW. This represents 425 MW more than in 2005 and corresponds to 23.5 % market growth. Spain continued to be the second biggest European Union market in 2006 with an additional 1,587 MW being installed, bringing it’s total installed capacity up to 11,615 MW.

New Wind Energy Barometer. Source: EUFORES.

Germany 21 GW, Spain 12 GW and France 0,8 GW

Italy’s market declined with respect to 2005, with 417 MW installed in 2006 vs. 453 MW during the previous year. The UK wind power market has confirmed its rise in importance with an additional 630.8 MW, including the 90 MW of the Barrow offshore park. UK installed wind power capacity is thus established at 1,963 MW, including 303.8 MW offshore. In 2006 France became the third biggest market in the EU ahead of the UK with 879.4 MW, i.e. a French total (including the French overseas departments and territories) of 1,635 MW. Portugal’s total installed capacity is slightly higher. An additional 673.4 MW installed in 2006 established total Portuguese installed capacity at 1,716.4 MW, confirming this market’s rapid rise.

Industry curbed by shortages

Like the photovoltaic industry, the wind power industry is today facing a shortage of components that are essential for the construction of wind turbines, especially gear boxes and bearings. This shortage, disclosed in the financial reports of several manufacturers, could put a brake on sector development for the next two years at least. Even though the financial risks for industrialists have become greater, the overall situation of the industry is good with order books largely filled. Moreover, the international situation is very favourable. The European wind power industry is in the process of conquering new markets in those countries where wind power is rapidly expanding like the USA, China and India. Furthermore, this period of strong growth, favourable to increasing air turbine sales prices, has made it possible for industrialists to stabilise their financial situations and consolidate their positions. In this way, manufacturers have been able to regain strong bases, after having been weakened by the wind industry sector reorganisation (company takeovers and acquisitions) that took place the previous years.

Prospects still as attractive as ever

The situation of renewable energies in the EU is a very favourable one today. Germany and Spain are no longer the only countries supporting the growth for all the countries of the Union. France, the UK, Portugal, Ireland and other member States seem well decided EurObserv’ER's forecasts for 2010, with an installed capacity of 89,000 MW. This estimate is higher than the new objective of the EWEA, which plans on 80,000 MW for the end of 2010. The big question now is the industry’s ability to meet European demand, EurObserv’ER emphasizes. The shortage of key components is already causing delays in wind turbine deliveries. The necessary investments are going to have to be made to ensure highest possible European growth.

EurObserv’ER barometers may be downloaded in PDF format at the following address: http://www.eufores.org

EUFORES (04/30/2007)

Gerhard Rabensteiner elected new president of the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation

Gerhard Rabensteiner, managing director of KIOTO Clear Energy AG, has been elected new president of the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF). He succeeds Ole Pilgaard, who - after more than 4 years at the head of ESTIF - takes on a new position as president of Heliodyne, Inc.in the United States. Rabensteiner, who was one of the founding members of ESTIF has served as Vice-President of the association since its foundation in 2002. He looks back on many years of experience in solar thermal as managing director of GREENoneTEC, which is now a part of KIOTO, a holding the Austrian co-founded in 2006.

His background gives Mr. Rabensteiner the in-depth knowledge of the solar thermal industry and market which is needed to take up this challenging position. In addition to this, he has also represented ESTIF on policy issues over the last years, for example as speaker at a dinner debate at the European Parliament alongside Ms. Mechtild Rothe, now Vice-President of the European Parliament.

Picture Source: ESTIF

ESTIF initiated campaign for a Renewable Heating and Cooling

ESTIF was founded in 2002 and since then has established itself as a key factor in all areas of solar thermal. As the voice of solar thermal in Brussels, ESTIF promotes solar thermal policies to representatives of the EU institutions. The ESTIF initiated campaign for a Renewable Heating and Cooling Directive has ensured that this sector is no longer forgotten and will be covered by the forthcoming proposal for an overall Renewables Directive.

Solar Thermal to become a clear winner in new European commitment towards renewables

"With the European council’s decision of March 9th to raise the share of renewable energy sources to 20% by 2020, we have entered a new phase in the adoption of solar thermal", says Mr. Rabensteiner. "As the president of ESTIF I am looking forward to support Solar thermal to become the clear winner of the new European commitment towards renewables. The wide success of Solar thermal installations in Austria shows us the huge opportunities we are facing all over Europe."

Rabensteiner to open 3rd European Solar Thermal Energy Conference

As one of his first official acts as the new president of ESTIF, Mr. Rabensteiner will open the 3rd European Solar Thermal Energy Conference, estec2007, which takes place 19-20 June 2007 in Freiburg, Germany. Estec has developed into the most important conference on solar thermal and will attract participants from all over the world.

Former ESTIF president Ole Pilgaard to take up new position in the US

Ole Pilgaard, who was ESTIF’s first president, is taking up a new challenge as President of Heliodyne in the US. With his strong dedication and hard work, Mr. Pilgaard was at the forefront of shaping ESTIF and its role in the European solar thermal environment for more than 4 years. In the name of all ESTIF members, Nigel Cotton, Chairman of ESTIF’s Advisory Council, thanked Ole Pilgaard at the General Assembly. ESTIF wishes him and his family all the best for their new life in the US.

ESTIF (04/27/2007)

PV-Producer SOLON AG rises Group revenues in 2006 by 72 %

Berlin-based SOLON AG für Solartechnik on April 25th, 2007 released its annual report for 2006. The report shows that Group revenues rose by 72% to EUR 346.4 million (2005: EUR 201.2 million) while net income improved 82% to EUR 14.4 million (2005: EUR 7.9 million). Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rose by 71% to EUR 24.8 million (2005: EUR 14.5 million); earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) advanced 76% to EUR 30.9 million (2005: EUR 17.6 million). Earnings per share came to EUR 1.56, reflecting a 64% increase from the 2005 figure of EUR 0.95. In 2006, the international business provided a significant stimulus for the robust growth of SOLON AG. The export share of the Group's total revenue rose from 12% in 2005 to 60% in 2006.

Numerous power plant projects implemented in Spain contributed considerably to this increase as well as the Italian subsidiary S.E. Project s.r.l. The share of the system business in total revenue rose accordingly to more than 40%.

Picture Source: GEOSOL Ibérica Holding GmbH

The Company's robust growth is also reflected in the higher number of employees. The total number of persons employed in the SOLON Group increased by 48% to 511 (annual average for 2005: 346). Compared to the previous year, annual production increased by 50% and reached 84 megawatts (2005: 56 megawatts). By year-end 2006, the production locations of the SOLON Group in Germany, Austria and Italy had achieved a total capacity for the production of solar modules of 120 megawatts.

For the current year, SOLON AG reaffirms the forecasts made at the time the preliminary financial results for 2006 were published on February 21, 2007. Accordingly, the Company expects to increase Group revenues and earnings by 30%. SOLON expects that the strongest drivers for growth this year will come from the Spanish business as well as the U.S. market, where the Company already started construction of a production facility in the first quarter of the year. The complete 2006 annual report of SOLON AG is available for download from the company's website.

SOLON AG (04/26/2007)

Study on Italian solar thermal reveals a surprisingly high contribution to EU market: 130 MWth in 2006

A new survey on the Italian solar thermal market shows that about 130 MWth (186,000 m²) new capacity was installed during 2006. This makes Italy the fifth largest solar thermal market in Europe, the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) reports in a press release. This figure shows that the size of the Italian market had been vastly underestimated during the last few years. The survey was carried out by a panel of independent experts and academics on behalf of Solarexpo Research Centre, and supported by several sponsors including ESTIF.

Italy's market size comparable with France and Spain

"We are very pleased about the trust given by so many market players to the authors of the study. Though it was widely assumed that the market size had been underestimated in the past, we were positively surprised about the size emerged by this survey. It shows that Italy has a market comparable with Spain and France, but still far from the levels of Germany, Austria and Greece and from its potential", states Riccardo Battisti of the University of Rome, one of the co-authors of the study. In absolute terms, Italy is now the fifth largest solar thermal market in the EU, after Germany, Austria, Greece and France. Per capita, however, it remains far behind its potential.

Inspiring message with impact at European level, Reassessment of past figures needed

"The findings of this survey also indicate a great new potential in the Italian solar thermal market for the future, with a possible growth of up to 200 MWth new capacity in 2007", said Gerhard Rabensteiner, newly elected President of ESTIF, "and this is an inspiring message with an impact at European level: Italy is on the way to become a major player in the solar thermal market". There is a wide consensus among market players that the new figure emerged from this study cannot be compared with the figures of previous years. The latters were generally based on rough estimates of few market actors, while the new survey has a scientific approach and a comprehensive coverage. Therefore, the authors of the study are retroactively re-evaluating the estimates for the previuous years, based on the final findings of the survey.

Full study available before estec2007

The complete version of the study will be published before the estec2007 (3rd European Solar Thermal Energy Conference), that will take place on 19-20 June 2007. It will be freely available online. Only aggregate figures will be published, while the sensitive data of the individual companies is handled confidentially by the authors.

Further Information: http://www.estec2007.org

ESTIF (04/25/2007)

Solar Electricity on a Large Scale: Linear Fresnel Collectors for Solar Thermal Power Stations in a Practice Test

Using the technology available today, half of the global energy demand in 2050 can be met by renewable energy sources. This has been proven by current scenarios in which a major role has also been ascribed to solar electricity generation. In addition to photovoltaics, solar thermal power stations are central to solar electricity generation. Over the past years, Fraunhofer ISE has performed research to optimize the components of such power stations and has carried out theoretical investigations on new concepts. In cooperation with industry and research partners, a new demonstration plant is being constructed under the direction of MAN Ferrostall Power Industry GmbH, whose goal it is to commercialize linear Fresnel collectors for use in solar thermal power stations. Fraunhofer ISE presented concepts and components at the Stand of the Fraunhofer Alliance Energy at the Hanover Trade Fair this year from 16 - 20 April.

Linear concentrating solar systems allowing a high local share of added value

In conventional solar thermal power stations (parabolic trough system), sunlight is focused on a solar-selective absorber pipe by means of mirrors. The thermal oil flowing in the pipe is heated by the intense solar heat, and the resulting steam produced in the heat exchanger is converted to electricity by means of a turbine and generator. Both the classical parabolic trough system as well as the new concept of Fresnel systems with secondary mirrors are classified under linear concentrating systems. Particular to the Fresnel system are flat mirrors which are controlled as strings and track the sun. The solar radiation is focused on a central absorber pipe with a highly selective coating and which is situated above the reflector field. The components required for this system are, for the most part, inexpensive standard items. They are available world-wide, allowing a high local share of added value, which gives this technology an advantage over competitive technologies. In addition, Fresnel technology is not sensitive to wind loads and allows parallel land use to a large extent.

Solar electricity production costs will not rise above 0.12 €/kWh

Fraunhofer ISE has contributed greatly in making the key components such as the absorber pipe, the secondary reflectors, primary reflector array and their control ready for operation. Based on theoretical investigations and the specific conditions found in sunny climates, Fraunhofer researchers have calculated that the electricity production costs will not rise above 0.12 €/kWh. The next step is the technical verification under real operating conditions. For this purpose, a 100m long collector string is being constructed as a test and demonstration project at the Plataforma Solar de Almería in southern Spain. Both Fraunhofer ISE and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) are measuring the optical and thermal characteristics of the system. The industry partner MAN Ferrostaal Power Industry GmbH and Solar Power Group GmbH are in charge of the commercialization of this technology.

New markets in southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East

As well as the market introduction of Fresnel collector systems, the partners in Almeria have also made it their goal to develop new power plant concepts for the small and medium power range. In particular, these concepts aim to have a low investment risk and also to make use of combined heat, cooling and power plants. As a result, new markets open up for manufacturers of concentrating collectors and heat engines, especially in southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

The construction of the power stations in Almeria is sponsored by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. In the expert report "Welt im Wandel" put out by the Scientific Committee of the Federal German Government for Global Climate Change, the potential of renewable energies and their contribution to the future energy supply are reported. www.wbgu.de

Fraunhofer ISE (04/24/2007)

Photovoltaics in Europe: More than 3.4 GWp installed in EU

The European photovoltaic market reached the heights once again in 2006. According to the first estimates available, the additional capacity installed in 2006 could amount to 1,245.7 MWp, permitting total European Union capacity to rise above 3,400 MWp, EurObserv’ER, a consortium composed of five European organisations devoted to the promotion of renewable energies within the European Union, reports in a press release. The European Commission's White Paper targets have thus been reached four years ahead of time. EurObserv’ER presents this sector’s current state of development in its barometer published in issue N° 178 of Systèmes Solaires Le Journal des Énergies Renouvelables. Even though curbed by a supply level that has been unable to meet demand, photovoltaic market growth succeeded in conserving a buoyant rate in the EU. First available estimates announce an additional capacity of 1,245.7 MWp for the year, making it possible for total European capacity to reach 3,418.5 MWp, which corresponds to enough electricity to supply 110,000 households (excluding electric heating).

The European photovoltaic sector remains very heterogeneous however, with an ultra-dominant German market, estimated at 1,153 MWp in 2006, including 3 MWp not connected to the power grid. Germany thus continues to be global leader for solar cells, far out in front of Japan (which should stay in the neighbourhood of 300 MWp in 2006) and the USA (with an estimate of more than 120 MWp). The second biggest European Union market is that of Spain, with a newly installed capacity of 60.5 MWp (including 1 MWp not connected to the power grid), followed by Italy (11.6 MWp, including 0.6 MWp off the grid).

Picture Source: EUFORES

European industry remains well positioned

In spite of the very aggressive strategies of Japanese and Chinese players to increase their production capacities, the European photovoltaic industry continues to be well positioned on the global market. Logically, it’s the German industrialists that are best represented. According to the BSW (Association of German Solar Industrialists), the German photovoltaic sector generated 3.7 billion euros turnover in 2006 (3 billion euros in 2005) and employs 35,000 persons (30,000 in 2005). Approximately 5,000 firms are involved in this sector in Germany, including about fifty industrial players that are found on all the different fabrication stages of photovoltaic systems (production of silicon, wafers, cells and then of modules).

10,000 MWp total in 2010?

The rapid growth of the photovoltaic sector should continue in the next few years. The silicon shortage is being progressively absorbed, which will finally make it possible for industrialists to use their production capacities to the full, and for supply to meet demand. Our new projection is based on a German market being maintained near the gigawatt level in the coming years and on a foreseeable acceleration in the growth of the Italian, Spanish and French markets. All of these evolutions should lead to a total European installed capacity of the order of 8,700 MWp by the year 2010. The rapid setting up of a photovoltaic sector, actively taking part in total electricity production and in the creation of wealth and qualified jobs, is a social challenge to which political decision-makers are beginning to respond. Systems of fair and just remuneration for solar electricity have been established, but efforts must be intensified even more in giving industrialists a more long term view to the future and in removing administrative obstacles.

The EurObserv’ER barometer consists of regular publication in the European press of indicators reflecting the current dynamics of renewable energy sectors (solar, wind, hydraulic, geothermal and biomass) worldwide and within the European Union. The EurObserv’ER barometer is a project supported by the European Commission within the DG Tren "Intelligent-Europe Energy" programme. It is also supported by the Ademe, the French Environment and Energy management Agency.

EurObserv’ER barometers may be downloaded in PDF format at the following addresse: http://www.eufores.org

EUFORES (04/23/2007)

350 Watt Fuel Cell System for grid-independent electricity supply

Mobile service robots are a future-oriented market product. Autonomous vacuum robots are already commercially available on the market. Service robots are finding their place, not only as household devices or lawn mowers, but also in medical and security fields. An important prerequisite for their continued market penetration is finding innovative solutions to meet the high energy consumption. Together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Intelligent Analysis and Information Systems IAIS, the Fraunhofer for Solar Energy Systems ISE developed an electrical power supply for robots, which is based on fuel cells. These and other developments from the business area "Hydrogen Technology" at Fraunhofer ISE were being presented at the Hanover Trade Fair from 16-20 April. Powerful portable electricity supply systems in the range of several hundred watts are essential for the development of service robots.Today, rechargeable battery technologies cannot meet the energy demand of such applications in a satisfying way. Two Fraunhofer Institutes present a new solution: Fraunhofer ISE developed a hydrogen-based 350 Wel fuel cell for a robot platform which was designed by Fraunhofer IAIS. Achieving an energy efficient operation as well as an optimized thermal management were the main factors here.

Robot platform with hydrogen-based 350 Wel fuel cell.

Source: Fraunhofer ISE

Compact and automated fuel cell systems up to 500 Wel

Grid-independent electricity supplies with long operating times are not only required for the field of service robotics, but also for telecommunication systems, signal systems, measurement stations as well as small electric vehicles. Fraunhofer ISE develops compact and automated fuel cell systems with a nominal power range between10 Wel and ca. 500 Wel. The researchers in Freiburg focus on membrane fuel cells for operation with hydrogen, reformate gas, chemical hydrides, methanol or ethanol. The stack concept, developed at Fraunhofer ISE, ensures reliable operation even for long lifetimes. The system technology permits a flexible integration for a variety of different applications.

Fraunhofer ISE (04/20/2007)

SOLON AG Implements Photovoltaic Systems in Spain as Flagship Projects

The inauguration of a photovoltaic system on the building housing the German Chamber of Foreign Trade for Spain in Madrid on April 18th 2007 represented the kickoff of a Spain-wide information campaign on the use of solar energy. The campaign is sponsored by the German solar module producer SOLON AG, by Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (dena), and by numerous German and Spanish solar technology companies. Solar roof projects are being implemented at a total of four locations in Spain in order to make the broad public aware of the possibilities of solar energy. In addition to the Chamber of Foreign Commerce in Madrid, the other partners in the project are the German schools in Bilbao, Malaga, and Tenerife.

Raising public awareness of the potentials of solar energy

At each of these locations, a photovoltaic system is being installed as a demonstration and reference facility. When they are completed, training programs will be offered for local installers. Accompanying communication measures such as regional PR campaigns, brochures, and a website dedicated to the project are meant to make the public more aware of the potentials of solar energy. A large display in the entrance area of the buildings and a website inform the resident staff and visitors to the Chamber of Commerce and the schools about solar irradiance, the reduction of CO2 emissions, and the output and yield data of the respective photovoltaic systems.

Photovoltaic system on the building housing the German Chamber of Foreign Trade for Spain in Madrid.

Picture Source: SOLON AG

Demonstrating the importance of high quality components and installation methodologies for long lasting solar energy systems

The Director of the German Foreign Chamber of Commerce for Spain, Peter Moser, welcomed the concept. "Renewable energies and in this case photovoltaics are a good example of how well Spain and Germany can work with each other in developing new, innovative, and sustainable business opportunities. This is climate protection in action - both countries can benefit from the value-added process and knowledge transfer." "Our photovoltaic projects at the schools and the Chamber of Commerce are meant to demonstrate how important high quality components and installation methodologies are for long lasting solar energy systems," said Andreas Liebheit, Director Sales at SOLON AG, referring to the German module producer's participation in the information campaign in Spain. SOLON AG has been active in Spain for several years now, and above all has been involved in a number of solar power plant projects.

2,500 sun hours per year and an average insolation of 1,650 kilowatt hours per square meter

The conditions for the use of solar energy are ideal: With an average of 2,500 sun hours per year and an average insolation of 1,650 kilowatt hours per square meter, Spain has the highest technological use potential for solar energy in the European Union.

SOLON AG für Solartechnik (04/19/2007)

New web applications for solar radiation and solar energy performance in Europe

The Renewable Energies Unit of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC) announced a new version of the PVGIS web applications for estimating solar radiation and solar energy performance in Europe. The most important feature of the new version of the Photovoltaic Solar Electricity Potential in the European Subcontinent is an increase in the spatial resolution of terrain data. Where the previous version was based on digital elevation model with a spatial resolution of 1 km, the new version incorporates data with a 100 m resolution. This leads to significantly improved estimates of solar radiation in mountainous areas, both because of a better knowledge of the altitude at a given location and because of an improved calculation of the effects of shadows by nearby mountains or hills. The solar radiation data underlying the web applications have been recalculated after a review of unreliable data in the Eastern Balkan.

PVGIS web site offers data and tools for geographical assessment of solar photovoltaics. New features include heating degree days, probability distribution of global irradiation, assessments of 2-axis tracking PV systems and display of the horizon outline for any location in Europe, Africa and South West Asia. PVGIS communicates in 6 languages now, French and Spanish being currently implemented. Go to the interactive applications.

A poster of the Solar Electricity Potential in the European Subcontinent and neighbouring regions (PDF 11.5 mb) an a graphical file (700 kb) are available at the PVGIS web site. The new interactive maps can be explored at http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis/apps/pvest.php?lang=en&map=europe

Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC) (04/16/2007)

EU Energy Research: First commercial scale concentrating solar power plant in Europe inaugurated in Spain

The Southern Spanish city of Seville will be host to the first commercial concentrating solar power plant in Europe. The 11 MW plant inaugurated on March 30th 2007 and partly financed with European Union funds, has been designed to produce 23 GWh of electricity a year - enough to supply a population of 10.000. This production of solar electricity avoids the emission of about 16.000 tonnes of CO2 each year. "These new technologies give Europe a new option to combat climate change and increase energy security while strengthening the competitiveness of the European industrial sector and creating jobs and growth", said Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs, on the occasion of the inauguration of the plant.

The PS10 solar plant is situated 25 km west of the city of Seville and is promoted by the company Abengoa. The investment costs amounted to € 35 million, with a contribution of € 5 million from the European Union's Fifth Framework Programme for research awarded for its highly innovative approach. The project execution took 54 months, from 1 July 2001 to 31 December 2005. PS10 is the first of a set of solar electric power generation plants to be constructed in the same area which will total more than 300 MW by 2013.

Concentrating Solar Power

PS10 is an example of so-called Concentrating Solar Power plants which use solar radiation as a high-temperature energy source to produce electricity via concentrating heliostats in a thermodynamic cycle. The need for Concentrating Solar Power technology arises because solar radiation reaches the Earth’s surface with a density that is adequate for heating systems but not for an efficient thermodynamic cycle for electricity production.

The potential contribution of Concentrating Solar Power plants to a more sustainable energy system has still to be fully exploited. The EU has been supporting the Concentrating Solar Power (CPS) sector for more than ten years facilitating efforts to research, develop, validate, demonstrate and disseminate the performance of these technologies in both the public and private sector. Under the Fifth and Sixth Framework Programmes for Research, the EU has contributed with some €25 million to research projects working to develop CSP technologies.

This contribution has had a multiplying effect by leveraging a large amount of additional private investment worth several hundred million Euro, in a ratio of about €10 for each Euro invested by the European research programme.

Research, technological development and demonstration of a new generation of renewable energy technologies has an essential role to play in meeting growing energy demand and allowing Concentrating Solar Power technologies to become another EU success story.

More information: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/res/sectors/csp_diss_en.htm

European Commission (04/12/2007)

New survey: Solar power to be competitive with brown coal up to 2010

By 2010 the typical cost of solar power will likely decrease by at least 40 % to $ 0.15 / kWh or roughly $ 2.50 per watt installed. This is one of the main results of the study "The True Cost of Solar Power" published by PHOTON Consulting in April 2007. The Photon report analyzes the cost of solar in 2006 and 2010, identifies three key trends and examines the prospects of 13 potential winners like BP Solar, Conergy Q-Cells, SolarWorld, SunPower, Suntech and other vertically intergrated solar power suppliers. Photon Consulting, reviewed the fully-loaded cost of manufacturing, perfoming R&D, selling, installing and operating a solar power system. Best practice manufacturing and installations will even reduce the cost of solar to $ 0.12/kWh by 2010, or roughly $ 1.85/watt installed in "normal" sun locations as for instance southern Germany und under $ 0.10 in sunnier locations such as California or Spain, PHOTON Consulting emphasizes.

PHOTON Consulting survey anticipates break even for for solar power by 2010 and a market volume about 1.500 GW.

Picture: Solar PV plant in Beneixama (Spain). Picture Source: City Solar AG

With costs of $ 0.10/kWh to $ 0.15/kWh by 2010, the cost of solar will be below the price of grid electricity for at least 50% of OECD residential demand, equivalent to around 1.500 Gigawatt (GW) of solar power. Taking into account both profits and subsidies, it appears that cost reductions will likely drive significant margin expansion over the next few years. In addition the low cost of solar is to drive three emerging trends: vertical integration, solar-fueled power purchase agreements (PPAs), and new risks for traditional energy companies, the Photon report outlines.

The survey can be purchased for EURO 1.100 plus value-added tax at the publishing house "Solar Verlag", Aachen, Germany. Email: info@photon-consulting.com. http://www.photon-consulting.com/

Photon; Solar Verlag (04/10/2007)