Photovoltaics: Status and Perspectives until 2020

Abstract

AbstractSince 2000, total PV production increased almost by two orders of magnitude, with a compound annual growth rate of over 55%. The most rapid growth in annual cell and module production over the last five years could be observed in Asia, where China and Taiwan together now account for more than 60% of world-wide production. Prices for photovoltaic electricity generation systems have more than halved over the last five years making the technology affordable to an ever increasing number of customers worldwide. The photovoltaic industry is in a process to mature and in this course increasing industry consolidation takes place. This process presents a risk as well as an opportunity at the same time, opening more and more markets. Various installation scenarios published during the last three years vary significantly depicting photovoltaic electricity generation from insignificant to a major energy source. With worldwide 50 GW cumulative installed photovoltaic electricity generation capacity installed in September 2011, photovoltaics still is a small contributor to the electricity supply, but its importance for our future energy mix is finally acknowledged.