Abstract
In these days of increasing environmental concern, governments and the scientific community work to maximize the use of renewable energy resources. There is a growing recognition of the valuable role solar power can play in reducing pollution - particularly in the effort to stabilize the carbon dioxide levels. The technology is now available for industrial, commercial and residential consumers. Photovoltaic (PV) power supplied to the utility grid is gaining more and more visibility due to many national incentives. With a continuous reduction in system cost (PV modules, dc!ac inverters, and installation), the PV technology has the potential to become one of the main renewable energy sources for the future electricity supply. The market for grid-connected PV power applications continues to develop at a high rate. Between 2002 and 2003 the total installed capacity in the International Energy Agency (lEA) Photovoltaic Power Systems (PVPS) countries grew by 36 %, reaching 1,809 MW. The direct conversion of sunlight into electrical energy undoubtedly has the potential to contribute substantially to the world-wide electricity production in the middle and long term.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | IEEE Power Electronics Society Newsletter |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Pages (from-to) | 10-13 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| ISSN | 1054-7231 |
| Publication status | Published - 2005 |