RenewableEnergyAccess.com: Reducing Solar-Generated Energy Costs Key Focus at European Conference

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Reducing Solar-Generated Energy Costs Key Focus at European Conference

Researchers, industry representatives and politicians from 94 countries attended the 21st European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition last week. Held in Germany September 4 - 8, the conference covered political framework conditions, research and development at the European level, and ways of achieving cost reductions and global market developments.Dr. Winfried Hoffmann, President of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) and general manager of SCHOTT Solar GmbH, highlighted the latest developments in the solar industry. Of the 1.4 gigawatts (GW) of solar energy capacity newly installed last year, 600 megawatts (MW) were in Germany, where the industry generated sales of around Euro 3 billion [US$3.8 billion] and created 30,000 jobs.

Although cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of generated electricity has been cut in half since 1990, Dr. Hoffman noted that solar-generated electricity remains more expensive than electricity generated from conventional sources such as oil, gas and uranium. "In five to ten years, solar-generated electricity for peak power will have become economically viable in the liberalized energy markets of Southern countries," said Dr. Hoffmann. "In the North, it will take an additional ten years to reach that point."