100% renewable energy by 2050 is a feasible objective

According to an article published on PV-tech.org, a recent McKinsey feasibility study with the intention to determine if electricity from 100% renewable resources was possible, has observed that by the year 2050, such goal not only is feasible, but that countries like Germany are already leading the way to making it possible. The study report, published by the European Climate Foundation was commissioned to examine the possibility of the EU achieving 80% greenhouse gas reduction by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. Furthermore the study concluded that along with renewable energy being 100% feasible, it was also a reliable and economically sound energy decision. Renewable energy industries record strong growth, generate many jobs, hence represent emerging markets in times of global economic crisis.

As reported October last year, Germany currently has one of the biggest renewable energy markets in the world and represents European Lead-Market in Solar PV. Only in the year 2009 Germany had an incredible 16.1% increase in the total share of electricity from renewable resources. Beginning of the new year 2010, Germany also saw its solar PV installations surpass the 3.8GW benchmark, making it responsible for more than half of the world’s solar market. Considering that at present only 2% of Germany’s suitable rooftops are covered with PV systems, the country has plenty of opportunity to expand its international lead in the solar renewable energy market and to further proof, that a clean energy future is a convertible dream.

Sources: PV-tech.org | Author:  Syanne Olson (all rights reserved).

Future of Italy's PV industry in Government hands

According to a recent study of I-com research institute, the possible impact and contribution of Solar PV Industry on Italian Market would be quantifiable in Italy by an esteemed 22 billion in value added for the Italian economy, 45 thousand jobs for the next twenty years and 6 million tonnes less CO2.

Nevertheless, Italy's photovoltaic sector, in comparison to other markets, is still far behind in development. In 2009 Italy almost doubled installed capacity compared to previous years and Italy since year end 2009 approached the level of 1000 MW installed (760,4 MW within nuovo conto energia), but compared to other countries like Germany or Japan, such levels were already surpassed six years ago, back in 2004.

Italian Solar PV Industry in terms of employment and economic value added is already bearing its first fruits. Now, in coming weeks, it us up to the Italian government to finally decide on the new incentive regime of PV to follow 2010 in order to consolidate the development of an area that could contribute significantly to the competitiveness of Italy.


Sources: Energia-blog | Authors:  9Colonne, I-com research institute.

Solar Evolution — The beginning of a new era for solar power

"A new era for solar power is approaching. Long derided as uneconomic, it is gaining ground as technologies improve and the cost of traditional energy sources rises.Within three to seven years, unsubsidized solar power could cost no more to end customers in many markets, such as California and Italy, than electricity generated by fossil fuels or by renewable alternatives to solar. By 2020, global installed solar capacity could be 20 to 40 times its level today."

McKinsey & Company | Authors: Peter Lorenz, Dickon Pinner, and Thomas Seitz

Source: Climate Change Special Initiative and McKinsey Quarterly

Forecast — The growing competitiveness of solar power: McKinsey forecasts grid parity within the next three to seven years. This means that solar energy's unsubsidized cost to end users will approach the cost of conventional electricity in a number of markets, including parts of the United States (California and the Southwest), as well as Italy, Japan and Spain.

Outlook — The global solar market in 2020: According to McKinsey, the worldwide installed global solar capacity will grow by roughly 30 to 35 percent a year, from 10 gigawatts today to about 200 gigawatts in 2020.

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLES:

McKinsey Quarterly — The economics of solar power (LINK);
McKinsey Quarterly — Evaluating the potential of solar technologies (LINK1, 2).

Bureaucracy slows down Project development of Photovoltaics in Italy, but according to GSE by end of 2009 Italy could reach 900 MW

In the first four month of 2009, an overall of 8.000 new plants (82,6 MW) were connected to the grid; which equals a media of 3,4 MW per week, contra 6,5 MW per week reached in 2008. Thus compared to the year 2008 PV project development has slown down a little. This trend maybe caused by several circumstances: a worldwide recession, financial crisis and last but not least by italian bureaucracy with its non-uniform and protracted authorization procedures.

Nevertheless by end of april 2009 a total of 39.753 PV plants were installed and operational. This equates to more than 500 MW, of which Lombardia reaching 49 MW by the end of 2008 and Puglia with 51,6 MW represent Italy's leading solar regions.

More importantly GSE expects market improvements and italian renewable markets to gain momentum. According to GSE Italy could break the 900 MW barrier by end of 2009. We will definitely contribute our part!

[Sources: http://www.energia24club.it; http://www.pienosole.it]