Solar Energy Growth

Solar Energy Growth: Going up!

Solar energy growth has been in the news recently.  From the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (aka the U.S. Stimulus Bill) that will pump billions of dollars into renewable energy projects, to last month’s Solar Generation Report, published by Greenpeace and the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), signs are pointing up for solar.  Although none of us has a crystal ball – if we did, we’d be charging a pretty penny for its use – there are strong indicators for the future of solar energy.

At last!  Something to be excited about!

The EPIA President made the following hopeful prediction at a conference in Spain in January 2009:

“Solar photovoltaic electricity has the potential to supply energy to over 4 billion people by 2030 if adequate policy measures are put in place today.”

Of these 4 billion people that could be served by solar energy in the next 20 years, the vast majority will be living in remote areas that are not reached by electrical grids.  The lives of these people would be improved to a degree unimaginable with clean water, safe medical care and healthy food supplies.  And, while this would only represent 14% of the total electrical demand worldwide, the potential solar energy growth would prevent the release of 1.6 billion tons of CO2 into the atmosphere, which is the equivalent of 450 coal-fired power plants!  Who wouldn’t want to replace 450 smog-making, smoke-belching factories with clean, renewable solar energy?

Solar power can do provide more than just than improved lifestyles and cleaner air for the planet.  I’m talking about the magic 3-letter word: J-O-B!

Solar energy growth is projected to increase the number of green collar jobs in the solar industry from about 120,000 currently to over 10 million in the next two decades.  Just in the next crucial 10 years, solar jobs will explode to over 2 million workers.  Whether working to install solar panels, wiring, manufacturing elements, or researching and developing new products, employment across the economic spectrum in the solar industry will rise faster than the sun on a June morning.

Finally, for some of the naysayers out there, solar energy is and will remain viable on a number of levels, not the least of which is economics.  Coal-based electricity has its challenges cut out for it in the months and years ahead as agencies and governments clamp down on greenhouse gas emissions.  In the next 5-10 years, solar energy will be just as affordable on the front end as “grid-based” electricity.  With more reliability, less maintenance costs and a much more environmentally-friendly footprint, its safe to assume that the solar energy growth is on a consistent, upward trend.

Tags: European Photovoltaic Industry Association, future of solar energy, solar energy growth, solar power jobs