Resources
Publications, Reports & Research
Our publications, reports and research library hosts over 500 specialist reports and research papers on all topics associated with CCS.
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Global market outlook for photovoltaics 2013-2017
1st February 2014
Organisation(s): European Photovoltaic Industry Association
Topic(s): Solar energy, Solar photovoltaics
This report assesses the European and global markets for PV in 2012, and makes forecasts for the next five years. It is based on an internal analysis of data from industry members, national associations, government agencies and electric utilities. The figures presented were discussed and analysed by key players from the PV industry at our 8th EPIA Market Workshop in Brussels in March 2013.
Connecting the sun: solar photovoltaics on the road to large-scale grid integration
1st September 2012
Organisation(s): European Photovoltaic Industry Association
Topic(s): Solar energy, Solar photovoltaics, Wind energy
This study aims to provide a holistic vision of how solar electricity will be integrated in the electricity system. It is based on new scenarios for the penetration of PV electricity in 2030. These scenarios have been combined with corresponding wind penetration scenarios. From there, a detailed analysis of balancing needs has been conducted for all 27 EU Member States in order to better understand system operation challenges. At distribution level, the study analyses the main constraints associated with high shares of distributed generation. It also considers the effect that grid integration costs will have on the overall competitiveness of PV against other forms of electricity.
Solar photovoltaics: competing in the energy sector
1st September 2011
Organisation(s): European Photovoltaic Industry Association
Topic(s): Economics, Solar energy, Solar photovoltaics
This study considers the full cost of photovoltaic electricity generation by using the concept of Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE). This concept takes into account all investment and operational costs over the system lifetime, including fuel consumption and equipment replacement. It thus allows a comparison of the cost of producing a kWh of electricity between various generation technologies such as for example PV and a gas-fired power plant – provided all external cost components are also included. To calculate the LCOE, the investment costs, different lifetimes and risk profiles of systems are taken into account, as are the locations of PV systems and their exposure to annual solar irradiance.
Photovoltaic observatory: policy recommendations
1st March 2011
Organisation(s): European Photovoltaic Industry Association
Topic(s): Domestic policy, Law and regulation, Policy, Renewables, Solar energy, Solar photovoltaics
The deployment of solar photovoltaic electricity (PV) is playing a crucial role in helping the EU meet its commitment in fighting climate change and ensure security of supply, reducing Europe’s dependency on energy imports.
In the context of the fast evolution of the European PV market in recent years, the need to permanently monitor market dynamics has led to the creation of the Photovoltaic Observatory. The Photovoltaic Observatory identifies recommended conditions for market development and best practices for the sustainable development of PV by basing its analysis on examining existing policies of several key countries. The Photovoltaic Observatory also focuses on relevant regulatory issues, financial incentives, administrative barriers and grid connection procedures.
Solar generation V – 2008: solar electricity for over one billion people and two million jobs by 2020
1st September 2008
Organisation(s): European Photovoltaic Industry Association, Greenpeace
Topic(s): Domestic policy, Economics, Solar energy
This report aims to compile a detailed quantitative knowledge base, coupled with clearly defined and realistic assumptions from which extrapolations could be made on the likely development of the solar electricity market up to 2030 and beyond.
This EPIA/Greenpeace report looks forward to what solar power could achieve - given the right market conditions and an anticipated fall in costs - over the first three decades of the twenty-first century. As well as projections for installed capacity and energy output, it makes assessments of the level of investment required, the number of jobs which would be created, and the crucial effect which an increased input from solar electricity will have on greenhouse gas emissions.