Photovoltaics - Technology providing global energy solutions

Abstract

Thomas S. Basso National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Golden, Colorado Photovoltaics (PV), the direct conversion of sunlight to electricity is experiencing significant improvements in technology performance, lower cost, and increased field experience. Worldwide PV module production has doubled in the past 7 years, with industry planning 25 megawatts of new capacity for the 1995to-1996 timeframe. Traditional technical, economic, and institutional barriers to using new technology must be alleviated for the forecasted rapid growth of PV. A framework for overcoming these barriers was documented in a report entitled SOLAR 2000: A Collaborative Strategy prepared by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Solar Energy Conversion through a consultative process involving DOE, the solar and biomass industries, the research community, electric utilities and other users, regulators and policy makers in the state and federal governments, and the national laboratories. Implementation centers around partnerships pursuing activities under the following three elements: Technology Research and Development (R&D), Market Conditioning, and Joint Venture Projects. In this paper, representative PV community activites are described and references are provided for more information on results. In the United States, federal agencies are learning that PV can prove to be an effective electricity option. Similarly, electric utilities are increasing their use and demonstration of PV technology. And the PV industry is continuing to invest heavily in research and development and new PV production facilities.