Solar power could provide energy for more than 1 billion people, creating over 2 million jobs by 2020, and 26% of global energy needs by 2040, according to a report released by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) and Greenpeace in Berlin today.
The report 'Solar Generation' shows that solar photovoltaics have the potential to make a major contribution to both the future of secure global electricity supply, and to help prevent dangerous climate change. The EPIA represent solar manufacturers such as Shell and BP.Sven Teske, Greenpeace energy expert said,
"It's a realistic, achievable goal, based on the current state of the industry and opportunities in the market, but it requires clear political support from governments around the world. We need to massively boost renewable energy sources if we are to phase out the fossil fuels that threaten our climate."
"As part of the global Choose Positive Energy campaign, Greenpeace is calling on world governments to provide renewable energy to 2 billion of the world's poorest people in the next decade. Even using conservative estimates, this report shows solar energy is able to fulfil a large part of this demand, and create millions of jobs globally."
Greenpeace UK estimates using the scenario outlined in the European Photovoltaic Industry Association report, there could be around 2.5 million UK homes being fitted with solar PV and the creation of 150,000 jobs. The Government is currently carrying out a review of the UK's energy supply for the next 50 years. Greenpeace is concerned that there are signs that the Government wants to revive the nuclear industry.
Matthew Spencer head of Greenpeace UK's climate campaign said,
"This report shows that solar power could be a serious player, supplying the equivalent of 75 new coal or nuclear power stations. The solar industry is saying it will invest a massive $75 billion a year in new manufacturing over the next 20 years. Sadly the UK won't get any of this unless the Government drops its obsession with nuclear power and gives solar a fair deal in the UK."
The report shows that by 2020 global solar output could be 276 Terawatt hours, which would equal 30% of Africa's energy needs, or 10% of OECD European demand, or 1% of global demand. This would replace the output of 75 new coal fired power stations and prevent the emission of 664million tonnes of carbon dioxide. The global solar infrastructure would have an investment value of US$75 billion a year and lower the cost of solar modules to US$1 per watt peak achieved.
By 2040 global solar output could be more than 9000 Terawatt hours, or 26% of the expected global demand which would have increased from 27,000 to 35,000 Terawatt hours. That's more than the combined demand of OECD Europe and North America in 1998.
Renewable energy technologies, utilising the power of not only the sun, but also wind and water, generate clean energy that will neither run out nor lead to the build-up of greenhouse gases that cause climate change.
Choosing renewables over fossil fuels is also to choose energy security. Fossil fuels, due to their wholesale contribution to global warming, represent an intrinsically insecure energy source regardless of whether they are come from Alaska, the Caspian Sea, the Middle East or elsewhere. Turning to renewables would mean that countries are able to generate their own indigenous energy supplies, which would be reliable, wherever they were generated.
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