Technology Status - NET Nowak Energie & Technologie AG

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The market share of distributed grid-connected PV installations has been
growing steadily and reached 63% of cumulative capacity installed in IEA
PVPS countries by the end of 2001 * . Figure 21 provides an overview of the
seven major segments of the PV market.
Figure 21
Relative Share of PV Market in 2000
Off-grid residential
1 st world
6%
On-grid central power
>100 kW
2%
Source: Sarasin Bank.
● Environment
Off-grid rural 3 rd world
12%
On-grid residential
and commercial
42%
Consumer products
14%
Communication and
signal
14%
PV-diesel hybrid
10%
Replacing fossil fuel-based electricity generation with PV can yield significant
environmental benefits. However, two issues bear noting. First, PV
consumes a large amount of electricity in its production. While PV’s energy
payback is on the order of 2–5 years, the energy used is almost always from
the grid, so some consider that renewables “inherits” the emissions of the
supply. Second, PV arrays are quite large and require space for their
deployment. Where these arrays can be integrated into roofs, or where
marginal or rural lands can be used, this is not a problem, and can even
generate savings. However, the future concept of large arrays near urban
load centers carries a possible conflict for land use. Other issues include:
● Manufacturing and substances of concern: PV’s manufacturing process
uses toxic and flammable/explosive gases like silane, phosphine or
* PVPS refers to the IEA PhotoVoltaic Power System Implementing Agreement, a technology collaboration project that
brings together researchers for R&D. PVPS countries include: Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
United Kingdom and the United States of America.
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER X3