| |
SOLAR GENERATION V -
2008
|
Foreword
In 2001, for the first
time, EPIA and Greenpeace joined forces with a mission in
telling a broad audience of the latest developments and
future potentials of Photovoltaics. Thus, Solar Generation
was born.
7 years and 5 editions later, 7 GW of PV capacity more, tens
of thousands of PV jobs created, hundreds of companies
founded, many TWh of electricity produced and millions of
tons of CO2 saved; PV is facing a different world. Nobody,
not even the optimistic PV industry thought back in 2001
that only a few years later more than 2 GW, almost 10 times
more than in 2001, would be installed in only one year.
Last year’s Foreword to Solar Generation highlighted that a
unique window of opportunity for PV was opened. Scientific
reports (Stern Report, IPCC Report) and political activities
(2020 Energy targets of the European Union) have driven a
public awareness all over the world that the time has come,
ultimately, for action in order to save the planet from the
consequences of climate change.
In 2008, as also during the years before, EPIA and
Greenpeace had to update their scenarios in order to keep
pace with the dynamic PV development. The global energy
situation has changed even more drastically in just one
year. If last year a window of opportunity for PV was
opened; this year the entire front wall of the house has
been torn down. The opportunity for action has not only
become huge, it has become an economic necessity!
Energy prices are skyrocketing. Energy is becoming more and
more unaffordable for more and more people all over the
world. The global PV capacities have to grow faster and they
can grow faster as Solar Generation V will show. The global
PV industry is willing to take the challenge.
|
