RAY OF LIGHT: Solar power panels in Alexandra in Johannesburg mean some people will not be affected by Eskom's load shedding. A reader takes Eskom to task and shares his frustrations over the ongoing power cuts. Pic: Marianne Schwankhart. 29/10/2007. ? The Times.\n\nSolar power panels installed on new buildings in Alexandra township. Photograph by: MARIANNE SCHWANKHART
As the South African Government plans how it will expand electricity supply to support many of its citizens, there is an increasing amount of evidence that clean, renewable energy is the best way to power and develop South Africa.
A new report(1), published by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) and Greenpeace International, called "Solar Generation 6", shows how global investments in solar photovoltaic (PV) technology could double from euro 35-40 billion today to over euro 70 billion in 2015. The estimated investments in the European Union alone would rise from today's euro 25-30 billion to over euro 35 billion in 2015.
The report foresees that PV alone could account for 12% of European power demand by 2020, and up to 9% of the global power demand by 2030.
"Our goal is to make solar photovoltaic technology a mainstream power source through policy support at an optimal cost for consumers" said Sven Teske, Senior Energy Expert at Greenpeace International. "Solar photovoltaic is a key technology for combating climate change; our research shows that it creates 35 to 50 jobs per tonne of CO2 savings and will increase the security of energy supplies by reducing dependency on energy imports to Europe.
"Solar photovoltaic technology has, for many years now, shown increased power efficiencies and cost reductions," said Ingmar Wilhelm, President of EPIA.
"Today's cost predictions, driven by economies of scale in light of global photovoltaic capacity, totalling 40,000 MW in 2010, show that the technology is on the brink of an economic breakthrough."
Since 2005, PV prices have dropped some 40% and by 2015 the cost of PV systems is expected to drop by an additional 40% compared to current levels.
As a result, PV systems will be able to compete with electricity prices for households in many countries of the European Union within the next five years.
In addition to its environmental benefits, the report shows solar energy to be a sustainable way to address concerns about energy security and volatile fossil fuel prices, as well as a substantial factor in economic development.
The report shows that PV creates 35 to 50 jobs per tonne of CO2 savings. Greenpeace Africa made similar findings last year: investing in renewable energy "could be a major employment creator in South Africa, with a net increase of 78,000 jobs by 2030". The report(2) found that even when compared to the utopian 'Growth Without Constraints' scenario, the benefits of renewables are clear, creating 5% more jobs and offering a solution to the thousands of South Africans still without access to electricity.
"South Africa is blessed with some of the best solar resources in the world, and yet more than 90% of the country's electricity comes from dirty coal. To avoid being left behind, South Africa must start investing in renewable energy now - the future is indeed solar" said Melita Steele, Greenpeace Africa climate campaigner.
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