While oversupply and trade disputes weigh heavily on the global photovoltaic industry, Solarpraxis and pv magazine launched the 300 GW/a initiative, at a breakfast event held today at the 27th EU PVSEC in Frankfurt. It was attended by close to 150 industry professionals, researchers and journalists.
The 300 GW/a initiative sets the goal of 300 GW of annual photovoltaic installations worldwide by 2025. Eicke Weber, head of the Fraunhofer ISE research body and Christian Breyer from the Lemoine Institute spoke at the event.
Weber and Breyer discussed a renewable-energy scenario where the worlds energy supply could be comprised of 100% renewables between 2040 and 2050. This scenario would see photovoltaics as a key pillar of the energy supply, along with wind power, hydro and other renewable sources.
Breyer said he envisages photovoltaics providing around 10,000 to 12,000 GW of global installed photovoltaic capacity between 2040 and 2050, to serve the energy demand of a world population of 10 billion people in a sustainable fashion. This would mean an average energy consumption of 7,000 kWh per individual, per year the current consumption level of the average Western European citizen.
To reach this, it is necessary to achieve 300 GW annual installed capacity by 2025 the goal of the initiative. "This goal is realistic, especially is you see the fast learning curve of the PV industry," said Weber. The Fraunhofer ISE head said that in parts of the world the PV industry is able to supply electricity today at between 0.11 to 0.12/kWh. This makes photovoltaics already competitive with fossil fuels in these regions, when that fossil fuel electricity supply is not heavily subsidized.
Solarpraxis CEO, Karl-Heinz Remmers was the moderator of the discussion and he unveiled a report produced by Solarpraxis in 2002, which set then-ambitious goals for the industry. These goals have all been exceeded, noted Remmers, even though at the time, some in the industry thought they were unrealistic.
Dirk Morbitzer, MD of Renewable Analytics also attended todays launch event and said that such a campaign is long overdue. "Finally someone is doing it and saying it and its necessary," Morbitzer said, adding, "Now the important part is making it live and to discuss whats necessary to do it."
"If we want to reach this ambitious target, then we need to change the mindset of the people," continued Hanwha Solars Thomas Franken, who was also in attendance. "We really have to show that photovoltaics has the potential to be a force in the market," he stated, emphasizing that more discussion on the evolution of post-subsidy markets in countries such as Germany is of great relevance.
Speaking at the event, Bruno Bucci, Coveme CEO stressed the need for mutual knowledge sharing to reach this goal. Lars Feldscher, senior VP of Hellmann eCommerce further emphasized the importance of intelligent distribution to serve such a market.
Solarpraxis is the publisher of pv magazine, pv magazine China and photovoltaik. The 300 GW/a initiative is being partnered by Hellmann Worldwide Logistics and Coveme. Supporters include Kaco and Fraunhofer ISE. Read more about the initiative and let us know your thoughts.
Edited by Becky Beetz.
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