Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
5.7 Photovoltaic Markets
Among the renewable energies that currently exist, photovoltaics offers the most
possibilities for different uses. The advantage is the modular structure of these
systems. Almost any desired generator size is possible, from the milliwatt range for
supplying power to pocket calculators and watches all the way to the megawatt
range for supplying public electricity. Pocket calculators supplied by photovoltaics
were already in widespread use decades ago.
Whereas in 1980 85% of all solar modules were being produced in the USA, this
share shrank to less than 10% by 2005. Japan, China and Germany have replaced
America as the leaders in photovoltaics.
Large-scale systems that feed solar power into the public grid fi rst became popular
after successful marketing programmes in Japan and Germany. Government schemes
in both countries boosted the production of photovoltaic modules and have contrib-
uted towards annual market growth rates between 20 and 40% since the early 1990s
(Figure 5.18). In the meantime, other countries like Spain, Italy and the USA have
also created attractive conditions for the installation of grid-connected photovoltaic
systems.
16000
MW
Germany
Japan
USA
Spain
Others
14000
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
Figure 5.18
Development of overall photovoltaic power installed worldwide.
In Germany, the popularity of grid-connected photovoltaic systems did not begin
until the early 1990s with the so-called 1000-roof programme. With the help of state
schemes more than 2250 photovoltaic systems were erected, mainly by private
households. When the programme was phased out, the use of photovoltaics began
to stagnate. It was not until 2000 that fresh impetus was given through the introduc-
tion of the Renewable Energy Law.
With over 500 000 photovoltaic systems and an output of more than 5300 megawatts,
Germany in 2008 had the most systems in operation by a considerable margin. These
