Whether at global or European scale, electricity is the cornerstone of the clean energy transition and sustainable development. Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy and wind energy are the key technologies to deliver this electricity in sufficient (i.e. very large) quantities, at affordable cost, in an environmentally & societally sustainable way. Their massive rollout, their integration into the energy system, integration into our living environment, as well as circularity of the entire value chain are needed in order to lead the energy transition successfully.
Maintaining a high level of excellence in the European solar PV ecosystem is a key success factor for a strong solar PV industry. Although the global PV market has grown rapidly for decades already, most of the global deployment is yet to come. Only around 1 to 2% of the cumulative PV capacity anticipated in 2050 has been installed so far. This illustrates the huge opportunities for the PV sector, in manufacturing, installation and all other parts of the value chain. In a context where currently almost all PV cells and modules are produced outside Europe (over 97%) and in particular in China (over 70%), and where there is still plenty of room for breakthrough concepts in technology, manufacturing and applications, it is essential to develop a manufacturing industry, going hand in hand with a research & innovation strategy that will ensure Europe’s strong position in this sector. Building upon the strong momentum offered by the European Solar PV Industry Alliance, the ETIP PV supports the competitiveness of the European PV value chain by ensuring the sector is at the forefront of PV innovation, notably in the framework of the European Partnership for innovation in photovoltaics.
