Europe's Solar Shines Brightly in 2011

2012. május 11., péntek, 09:00

Címkék: European Photovoltaic Industry Association olar photovoltaic (PV) power project Solar Shine

Europe recorded a record-breaking year for solar photovoltaic (PV) power projects in 2011 but its dominance at the top of the world's global solar sector will be challenged in the coming years.

The Asia-Pacific region, in particular China, Japan and Australia, will overtake Europe in growth terms in the next five years, according to the latest global report from industry body, the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA).

It said: "Europe has dominated the global PV market for years but the rest of the world clearly has the biggest potential for growth. European markets where PV has developed vigorously in recent years have reached, at least for the time being, a level that will be difficult to maintain in the two coming years. Outside Europe, however, the PV market is expanding quickly -- with more than 100% growth in 2011."

For 2011, 21,000 megawatts (MW) of solar power was connected in Europe, compared to 13,400 MW in 2010, according to the 'Global Market Outlook for Photovoltaics until 2016' report. That represents the lion's share of global solar growth last year. After hydro and wind power, PV is now the third most important renewable energy source in terms of globally installed capacity, the EPIA said.

Globally, 29,700 MW of PV systems were connected to the grid in 2011, up from 16,800 MW in 2010. Europe has more than 51,000 MW of solar power installed as of 2011. This accounts for approximately 75% of the world's total PV capacity.

Within Europe, Italy was the top solar market for the year, with 9,300 MW connected, followed by traditional solar market leader Germany, with 7,500 MW. Those two countries combined accounted for nearly 60% of global market growth during the past year.

The number of markets achieving more than 1,000 MW of additional PV capacity last year rose from three to six: Italy, Germany, France, China, Japan and USA. Two of the most significant changes in the new outlook showed that, for the first time, China was the top non-European PV market while Australia added 750 MW of PV capacity in 2011 alone, bringing its total to 1,300 MW.

"Many of the markets outside Europe, in particular China, the USA and Japan, but also Australia and India, have addressed only a very small part of their enormous potential; several countries from large sunbelt regions like Africa, the Middle East, South East Asia and Latin America are on the brink of starting their development," the report found.

Industrial Info