PHOTOVOLTAIC FACT SHEETS

European Photovoltaic Technology Platform

You may have heard the statement

“Solar PV is not appropriate for rural
applications as only rich countries can afford it.”

The fact is: As photovoltaic (PV) solar electricity

started 25 years ago, off-grid applications were “We wage wars for oil and
water whereas a still growing
cost competitive first in remote rural areas. Off-grid part of the world population
solar PV systems for professional and domestic use does not have access to clean
water and electricity. We have
were the first terrestrial applications. to admit our responsibility”

Development of the Various Market Segments (relative)

Yearly installed PV Power: 1,2 GW 5 GW 30 GW 300 GW 650 GW Prof. em. Dr. Joachim Luther
100%
Fraunhofer Institute for
Solar Energy Systems (ISE)
90%
Becquerel Prize Laureate for
80% Outstanding Merits in Photovoltaics
n R
 oW Off-Grid
(incl. Consumer) 70%

60%
n RoW On-Grid 50% Mass production and markets in developed countries such as
n USA
40% Japan, USA and Germany allow for sinking production costs. In
30% consequence the markets in developing countries will increasingly
n JP 20% be able to afford PV Solar in near future.
10%
n EU
0%
2004 2010 2020 2030 2040

Source: SCHOTT Solar (own estimates)

The figure indicates the trend to developing country markets as

Source: SCHOTT Solar

expected by the PV industry. One third of the world’s population

lives in rural areas without electricity and thus without access to
clean water and modern life. Due to the decentralized and modular
character of solar PV these people can be provided with clean
electricity for development, education and communication.

Therefore the correct statement is:

“In many developing countries,
solar PV electricity can provide least
cost options for basic rural energy needs.”

www.eupvplatform.org
April 2007