Solar photovoltaics is ready to power a sustainable future
Victoria M, Haegel N, Peters IM, Sinton R, Jaeger-Waldau A, Del Canizo C, Breyer C, Stocks M, Blakers A, Kaizuka I, Komoto K, Smets A (2021)
Publication Type: Journal article, Review article
Publication year: 2021
Journal
Book Volume: 5
Pages Range: 1041-1056
Journal Issue: 5
DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2021.03.005
Abstract
Thanks to fast learning and sustained growth, solar photovoltaics (PV) is today a highly cost-competitive technology, ready to contribute substantially to CO2 emissions mitigation. However, many scenarios assessing global decarbonization pathways, either based on integrated assessment models or partial-equilibrium models, fail to identify the key role that this technology could play, including far lower future PV capacity than that projected by the PV community. In this perspective, we review the factors that lie behind the historical cost reductions of solar PV and identify innovations in the pipeline that could contribute to maintaining a high learning rate. We also aim at opening a constructive discussion among PV experts, modelers, and policymakers regarding how to improve the representation of this technology in the models and how to ensure that manufacturing and installation of solar PV- can ramp up on time, which will be crucial to remain in a decarbonization path compatible with the Paris Agreement.
Involved external institutions
European Commission - Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Netherlands (NL)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
United States (USA) (US)
Forschungszentrum Jülich / Research Centre Jülich (FZJ)
Germany (DE)
RTS Corporation
Japan (JP)
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)
Spain (ES)
Sinton Instruments
United States (USA) (US)
Australian National University (ANU)
Australia (AU)
Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) / Lappeenrannan teknillinen yliopisto
Finland (FI)
Aarhus University
Denmark (DK)
Mizuho Information & Research Institute, Inc
Japan (JP)
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
Netherlands (NL)
Netherlands (NL)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
United States (USA) (US)
Forschungszentrum Jülich / Research Centre Jülich (FZJ)
Germany (DE)
RTS Corporation
Japan (JP)
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)
Spain (ES)
Sinton Instruments
United States (USA) (US)
Australian National University (ANU)
Australia (AU)
Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) / Lappeenrannan teknillinen yliopisto
Finland (FI)
Aarhus University
Denmark (DK)
Mizuho Information & Research Institute, Inc
Japan (JP)
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
Netherlands (NL)
How to cite
APA:
Victoria, M., Haegel, N., Peters, I.M., Sinton, R., Jaeger-Waldau, A., Del Canizo, C.,... Smets, A. (2021). Solar photovoltaics is ready to power a sustainable future. Joule, 5(5), 1041-1056. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2021.03.005
MLA:
Victoria, Marta, et al. "Solar photovoltaics is ready to power a sustainable future." Joule 5.5 (2021): 1041-1056.
BibTeX: Download