Prepare(d) for Impact: PV Cost Reduction and Beyond
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C. Sinke Wim
Wim C. Sinke (1955) is Manager Program Development Solar Energy at ECN (Petten, The Netherlands) and professor at Utrecht University on “Science and Applications of Sustainable Energy Systems”. He is also chairman of the European Photovoltaic Technology Platform (EUPVTP). He has authored and co-authored over 250 scientific papers and other publications in the field of photovoltaic solar energy (PV) and was lead author of the Strategic Research Agenda of the EUPVTP and of the PV chapters in the UNDP World Energy Assessment (2000) and the IIASA Global Energy Assessment (2012). In 1999 he received the Royal Dutch/Shell Prize for Sustainability and Energy and in 2011 the European Becquerel Prize for his work in the field of PV.
Abstract
Photovoltaic solar energy technology (PV) may reach the terawatt deployment scale within a decade. This is enabled by rapid cost reduction through which PV is able to compete with conventional power in an increasing fraction of electricity markets globally. Although further cost reduction is essential for very large scale deployment and requires dedicated research and development efforts, it is not sufficient. Availability of fully sustainable technology and (electrical & physical) integration are other necessary ingredients for multi-terawatt-scale use. This paper quantifies and discusses the development challenges of PV and reviews some of the recent publications addressing the future of PV.
About the author
Wim C. Sinke (1955) is Manager Program Development Solar Energy at ECN (Petten, The Netherlands) and professor at Utrecht University on “Science and Applications of Sustainable Energy Systems”. He is also chairman of the European Photovoltaic Technology Platform (EUPVTP). He has authored and co-authored over 250 scientific papers and other publications in the field of photovoltaic solar energy (PV) and was lead author of the Strategic Research Agenda of the EUPVTP and of the PV chapters in the UNDP World Energy Assessment (2000) and the IIASA Global Energy Assessment (2012). In 1999 he received the Royal Dutch/Shell Prize for Sustainability and Energy and in 2011 the European Becquerel Prize for his work in the field of PV.
©[2012] by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead
- Editorial
- Short Reports
- Prepare(d) for Impact: PV Cost Reduction and Beyond
- Industrial Silicon Wafer Solar Cells – Status and Trends
- High Efficiency Thin-Film Solar Cells
- PV Module Technology and Reliability – Status and Perspectives
- The Path to Industrial Production of Highly Efficient Metal Wrap Through Silicon Solar Cells
- Light Trapping Concepts for Photon Management in Solar Cells
- Asia Pacific Super Grid – Solar electricity generation, storage and distribution
- Notice from the Editorial Office
- Future Conferences on Sustainable Energy Science and Policy 2012/2013
Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead
- Editorial
- Short Reports
- Prepare(d) for Impact: PV Cost Reduction and Beyond
- Industrial Silicon Wafer Solar Cells – Status and Trends
- High Efficiency Thin-Film Solar Cells
- PV Module Technology and Reliability – Status and Perspectives
- The Path to Industrial Production of Highly Efficient Metal Wrap Through Silicon Solar Cells
- Light Trapping Concepts for Photon Management in Solar Cells
- Asia Pacific Super Grid – Solar electricity generation, storage and distribution
- Notice from the Editorial Office
- Future Conferences on Sustainable Energy Science and Policy 2012/2013
