Global solar photovoltaic capacity passes 100 GW

Thee European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA, Brussels, Belgium) has announced that the world’s cumulative solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity has reached 101 GW, with 30 GW of new capacity connected to the grid in 2012.

It was only in 2008 when the wind energy industry — considered the most mature of renewables — surged past the 100-gigawatt global capacity mark.

The top three European PV markets in 2012 were Germany (with 7.6 GW), Italy (3.3 GW) and France (1.2 GW).

The top three non-European markets were China (with at least 3.5 GW and possibly as much as 4.5 GW), the U.S. (3.2 GW) and Japan (2.5 GW).

The 2012 figures are not final. EPIA says that another 1 to 2 gigawatts could be added to the final tally when it gets released in May.

EPIA also notes that 13 GW of that capacity was located outside Europe, compared to 8 GW in 2011, with China alone commissioning 3.5 – 4.5 GW. The organization intends to release final figures for the 2012 market in May 2013.

“No one would have predicted even 10 years ago that we would see more than 100 GW of solar photovoltaic capacity in the world by 2012,” said EPIA President Winfried Hoffmann.

The world’s cumulative solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity capacity surpassed 100 gigawatts (GW) in 2012, achieving just over 101 GW, according to new EPIA market figures. This global capacity to harness the power of the sun produces as much electricity energy in a year as 16 coal power plants or nuclear reactors of 1 GW each.  Each year, the world’s PV installations reduce CO2 emissions by 53 million tons.

The surpassing of the 100-GW mark occurred in yet another year of strong global PV development, with an estimated 30 GW connected to the grid and made operational in 2012 – roughly the same as the record-setting level of 2011. These results are preliminary, and the 30 GW figure could be increased by an additional 1 or 2 GW when final numbers come in. Final results for the year will be published in May, in EPIA’s annual “Global Market Outlook for Photovoltaics 2013-2017.”

“No one would have predicted even 10 years ago that we would see more than 100 GW of solar photovoltaic capacity in the world by 2012,” said EPIA President Winfried Hoffmann. “The photovoltaic industry clearly faces challenges but the results of 2012 show there is a strong global market for our technology. Even in tough economic times and despite growing regulatory uncertainty, we have nearly managed to repeat the record year of 2011.”

“The photovoltaic industry clearly faces challenges but the results of 2012 show there is a strong global market for our technology. Even in tough economic times and despite growing regulatory uncertainty, we have nearly managed to repeat the record year of 2011.”

EPIA states that China has become the world’s second-largest photovoltaic market, at between 3.5 and 4.5 GW installed in 2012.

Three of five largest photovoltaic markets located outside Europe

Under EPIA’s preliminary accounts, Germany remained the largest market at 7.6 GW, with Italy in third place after China at 3.3 GW and the United States commissioning 3.2 GW. Japan also added an estimated 2.5 GW during the year.

EPIA also notes that it may increase its 2012 global estimate of 30 GW by 1 or 2 GW when final numbers are in.

http://www.epia.org/home/