European solar industry going strong, EU research shows

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.euractiv.com/en/energy/european-solar-industry-going-strong-eu-research-shows/article-178105

European solar industry going strong, EU research shows

Published: Tuesday 16 December 2008

Half of the world's photovoltaic electricity is currently produced in the EU, but the European solar industry must continue its "impressive growth" to maintain its market position in the years to come, argues a study released by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) last week.

The annual http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/refsys/pdf/PV%20Report%202008.pdf">Photovoltaics Status Report external demonstrates that solar power production grew at a rapid rate, averaging 40% over five years since 2003 and peaking at 60% in 2007. This means that the European photovoltaic industry is now worth €14 billion a year.

The JRC notes that Europe has increased its production volume significantly, and even reached its 2010 target four years in advance. It estimates that while solar energy still only makes up 0.2% of total electricity consumption in Europe, 0.5% of total electricity production in the EU 27 will be generated through solar power in 2010, the equivalent of the total electricity consumption of Slovenia.

Solar power is already giving a significant boost to electricity production during peak demand times, particularly when heatwaves force nuclear plants to reduce output because of shortages of cooling water, the report claims. It estimates that four million tonnes of CO2 are saved as a result.

More importantly, renewable energies are the only ones that will become cheaper in future as a result of innovation and economies of scale, and therefore help reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels, the report suggests.

…

[quidam56]

1. And America is becoming a third world Nation

Appalachia can't stand anymore of the prosperity that will be Bush's legacy for ten thousand years to come. http://www.wisecountyissues.com