Science:
The global photovoltaic (PV) power industry is experiencing
dramatic technology advances and market growth. Over the past
20 years, manufacturing output has grown by a factor of 200,
reaching 5 gigawatts (GW) in 2008. The total accumulated
installed capacity is now around 15 GW. This is quite small
relative to the world's 4000 GW of installed electric
generation capacityâmdash;just 0.375% to be
precise. However, industry leaders expect similar rapid growth
over the coming years.
In this quickly evolving environment, investors must assess which technologies and companies are best positioned, policy-makers must assess what role PV generation should play in our energy mix, utility planners must assess the impacts this will have on the electric grid, government and industry must decide how to allocate research and development (R&D) funds, and citizens must sort through a barrage of conflicting messages.
