The Trend Papers provide you with a quick overview of the background and current developments on selected topics.
Photovoltaics is currently experiencing the greatest momentum in its history globally and has been growing continuously for years. However, for a successful energy transition, ambitions must keep growing.
Many municipal utilities have become hotbeds of the new energy world and drivers of climate protection. They are developing new business models and are actively promoting the transition of the electricity, heating and transportation sectors.
There is a growing trend to combine large-scale photovoltaic installations with wind power and battery storage systems.
As we move towards decarbonization and greater sector coupling, the worlds of photovoltaics, battery storage and e-mobility are becoming increasingly intertwined. This trend was clear to see at The smarter E Europe 2022.
The rapid expansion of photovoltaics means that electricity storage systems are becoming increasingly important. This development is gaining even more momentum thanks to the booming electromobility sector.
Thanks to their particularly low electricity production costs, PV Power Plants are the most important drivers of the photovoltaics market. These are increasingly financed with partners in the industrial sector or energy industry through multiple-year power purchase agreements (PPA). This enables companies to hedge against rocketing electricity prices from fossil and nuclear power plants and take practical steps towards reaching their climate targets.
More flexible, modular, simpler, lighter and at the same time more robust, load-bearing and durable: this is where manufacturers of mounting systems for PV modules are optimizing their products and solutions, as became clear at Intersolar Europe 2022 in Munich.
Efficient dual land use for agriculture and solar power generation via agri-photovoltaics (agri-PV) is developing dynamically and attracting increasing interest. Agri-PV has long ceased to be a niche product.
The new German government has set out ambitious goals for renewable energies, having announced that they are to account for 80% of the electricity market by 2030 and that more than 15 gigawatts (GW) of photovoltaic capacity is to be installed annually. This means there is more need than ever before for additional surface areas and applications for photovoltaics. Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) presents tremendous opportunities to meet these goals, particularly in urban environments.
Frequently hailed as the third pillar of the global PV market, floating photovoltaic plants are gaining traction around the world.
Despite challenging market conditions, such as global supply chain disruptions and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, photovoltaics is booming in Europe. Despite this, even more ambitious goals are required to meet the climate objectives set out in the Paris Agreement.
The new German government has boosted the speed of the energy transition. Its aim is to reach a total PV capacity of 200 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 – which is more than three times the current amount.