The role of Photovoltaics towards 100% Renewable energy systems: Based on international market developments and Danish analysis

For many decades, solar photovoltaics has been labelled as an expensive technology with low potential of expansion. In the recent years, this technology experienced a fast increase in capacities correlated with an abrupt decrease in costs, which could make photovoltaics have an important role for the future energy mix. The purpose of this report is to describe what will be role of photovoltaics in a future 100% renewable energy system in Denmark towards the year 2050, but also to propose how the future public regulation schemes should adapt to intake the correct type and capacity for PV.
The report builds on a literature review of the global and Danish trends in capacity, costs and types of support schemes, but also develops a GIS and energy system analysis supported by a set of economic calculations to inquire on the recommended pathway for the future investments in photovoltaics in Denmark.
The review and analysis are focused on the integration of photovoltaics from a system perspective, analysed in the light of socio-economics. By building on this approach, a set of recommendations is proposed, which are structured on the system benefits and feasibility of photovoltaics, the land use and not the least on public regulation schemes and gradual increase in capacities.