Bharatbook.com: Solar Energy to get closer to Grid Party with improving Technologies

May 23, 2009 - PRLog -- Report on renewable landscape solar at the threshold

Solar energy is the most abundant source of renewable power available globally, yet its widescale deployment has progressed only very slowly. Despite the depressed outlook in 2009, solar energy promises significant medium and long-term growth opportunity. Yet, until true demand-pull can be created, the industry remains at the mercy of government programs that drive artificially stimulated demand.

http://www.bharatbook.com/Market-Research-Reports/Report-on-renewable-landscape-solar-at-the-threshold.html

Scope of this research

* Ten years worth of annual global power output data, for both conventional and all mainstream renewable technologies.
* Global cumulative and new annual installed solar capacity data since 1998 and a breakdown of the ten largest markets across both metrics.
* Summary data relating to PV production costs, plant costs, solar electricity generating costs and the main direct and indirect subsidy mechanisms.
* A SWOT analysis, an overview of the embattled Spanish market, 2009 solar market growth estimates and a review of growth expectations to 2013.

Research and analysis highlights
2008 was an exceptional year for the PV market, driven by political will and strong subsidies, mainly in Spain and Germany. However, a change in the Spanish solar subsidy is now threatening the development of an entire sector. At best, solar PV market growth in 2009 will fall back to 2001 levels the lowest levels on record for the past decade.

There are nine main EU-sponsored mechanisms that promote the development of solar power by means other than direct subsidy, yet the direct subsidy feed-in tariff is the most powerful mechanism to rapidly grow grid-connected solar power markets. Under the best possible scenario, however, solar energy is still a few years away from true grid parity.

Solar energy is one of only three means of achieving the EU's 20-20-20 climate change ambitions. Solar also has a role to play in meeting future increases in power demand across EU Member States. Ultimately, growth levels are expected to pick up in 2010, yet the industry's target of 12% of final EU electricity demand by 2020 are unlikely to be met.

Key reasons to purchase this research

* Quickly determine and assimilate the most critical developments and issues that characterize the global solar market today and in years to come.
* Benchmark the relative appeal of solar energy against other renewable and conventional types of power generation.
* Understand how global growth will be impacted by technology maturity, policy incentives and investor appetite, and tailor your strategy accordingly.

TABLE OF CONTENTS :

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CATALYST
SUMMARY
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ANALYSIS
Solar operates in a dynamic environment in which long-held assumptions are being eroded
The global renewable energy industry is growing rapidly on the back of political will, subsidies and technological advancements
Long derided as uneconomic, the nascent solar PV market is also gaining significant ground thanks to its strong green credentials
2008 was an exceptional year for the global PV market, driven by political will and strong subsidies, mainly in Spain and Germany
Silicon wafer-based PV, thin-film PV and concentrated solar thermal power are competing for cost leadership
There has been a lack of solar thermal investment over the past 20 years, but conditions now seem right for it to prosper
As technologies improve and the cost of fossil fuel electricity rises, solar energy gets closer to grid parity
The extent and speed of this emerging sector’s growth is dependent on political frameworks and its ability to keep driving down the cost of solar power
There are nine main EU-sponsored mechanisms that promote the development of solar power by means other than direct subsidy
Still, the direct subsidy FiT is the most powerful mechanism to rapidly grow grid-connected solar power markets
Solar technologies are still expensive and, for the moment, remain more expensive than most competing technologies
For solar power generation, true grid parity depends upon the evolution of solar power costs, carbon costs and power prices
Strong global growth is likely to continue on the back of technology maturity, policy incentives and heightened investor appetite, yet the industry’s 2020 targets are unlikely to be met
Having developed at a rapid pace, solar now faces key challenges, many of which will be offset by even larger opportunities
A change in Spanish solar subsidy levels is threatening the development of an entire and largely undiversified industry
At best, global solar PV market growth in 2009 will fall back to 2001 levels—the lowest levels on record for the past decade
In the longer term, solar has a role to play in meeting future sustained increases in power demand across EU27 Member States
Attitudes and behaviors will continue to be aligned with the benefits that zero carbon solar energy can bring
To offset tight capacity margins, solar power generation can be deployed more rapidly than conventional power generation
Most importantly, solar energy is one of only three means of achieving the EU’s 20-20-20 climate change political ambitions
Growth levels are expected to pick up in 2010, yet the industry’s target of 12% of final EU electricity demand by 2020 will not be met

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