Solar photovoltaic industry
highlights commitment to quality
With solar photovoltaic (PV) technology rapidly maturing into a mainstream source of electricity, industry leaders held a high-level workshop to discuss the importance of assuring quality products all along the value chain.
Solar PV now covers 2.6% of the electricity demand and 5.2% of the peak electricity demand in Europe. Depending on the policy scenario in place, the technology can provide 8% of Europe's electricity demand by 2020 and even more by 2030. As the technology grows, the industry is committed to making sure that quality of components remains a priority.
Reinhold Buttgereit, Secretary General of the
European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA)
Image: EPIA
"A PV system represents an important long-term investment in a clean, safe and infinitely renewable energy source." said Reinhold Buttgereit, Secretary General of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA). "The industry strives to assure investors that high quality of components is secured, and that innovation will keep improving efficiency. It's important for policymakers to do their part by promoting stable regulatory frameworks and a commitment to R&D."
The workshop was held as part of the international PV trade fair Intersolar Europe in Munich. Speakers at the workshop presented the state of the art and discussed the challenges of the industry's ongoing commitment to improving quality and reliability.
Speakers at the workshop included Fabrice Didier, member of the EPIA Board of Directors and CEO of Saint-Gobain Solar; William Feehery, Global Business Director, DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions; Dr. Ulrich Bohnert, Munich RE; Ulrike Jahn, TüV Rheinland; Britta Späth, IBC Solar; Cemil Seber, REC.
"In a relatively young industry like PV, financing is a risk," said Fabrice Didier, EPIA Board member and CEO of Saint-Gobain Solar. "It's in the interest of the industry as a whole to make a common effort to reassure investors about the reliability of PV systems."
"These types of discussions help turn the conversation in the industry from issues to actions that can improve the overall quality and reliability of solar energy," said William Feehery, Global Business Director, DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions. "We believe in a bright future for solar despite the current challenges, and companies that take a long-term view to invest in technologies that meet the highest standards for reliability will help the industry survive and thrive."
Source: EPIA