Progress in renewable energy

The development and commercialization of solar PV technology in the oil industry

“…As Gross et al (2003) identify, one of the most notable features of renewable forms of energy is the diversity of technologies, thereby indicating that renewable energy diffusion will lead to diversification in energy sources making energy markets less dependent on fossil fuels as a single source of energy.…”

“…Since the early 1990s, commercial development of various forms of renewable sources has occurred, resulting in a range of modern renewable technologies of which solar PV, wind power, concentrating solar power (thermal and PV), marine power (wave and tidal), and modern biomass offer the best opportunities for widespread diffusion. Conventional renewable sources, predominantly traditional biomass and large hydroelectric installations, supplied around 17% of the world's energy demand around the start of the century, but do not offer significant sustainable growth opportunities towards the future (Gross et al, 2003). Although modern renewable technologies currently account for only 1% of the world's energy demand, projections of their contribution in meeting the world's energy demand around 2050 range from 20% to 50% (World Energy Assessment, 2000).…”

“…With fossil-fuel prices decreasing in the mid 1970s, investments in solar R&D decreased tremendously, with technological development only continuing for several smaller niche markets. From the mid-1980s to mid-1990s solar PV capacity started to grow with a modest growth rate of 15% (Gross et al, 2003), with an increasing importance for grid-connected systems after 1995 (World Energy Assessment, 2000). Influenced by an increasing awareness of issues such as energy independence and negative environmental consequences (e.g.…”

“…Goetzberger et al (2002) define three scenarios for cell efficiency enhancement and cost reductions: (1) the continued dominance of present single-crystal and polycrystalline cells, (2) the introduction of new crystalline thin-film materials of medium thickness, and (3) the breakthrough of true thin-film materials that could potentially dramatically increase cell efficiency. All scenarios are equally plausible on the long term, although the first and second generation solar cells are more shortterm oriented and currently visible in the market, while third generation is more likely to occur in a longer timeframe (Gross et al, 2003).…”

“…First, solar cell efficiency and capital cost reduction for large-scale diffusion need to be achieved (Goetzberger et al, 2002;Gross et al, 2003;REN21, 2008). Second, policy should be developed to allow development in solar PV niche markets to support the learning effect from 'learning by doing', which positively influences large-scale diffusion of solar PV technology (Gross et al, 2003).…”