A video released at the recent Australian PV Institute’s (APVI) Solar Research Conference provides an update of the current status of the industry, the strengths of Australia’s solar sector and where the industry is headed.
Development of “Australia’s Bright Solar Future” was supported by and features input from representatives from Energy Matters/SunEdison, the Australian Centre for Advanced PV at UNSW, the Energy Change Institute at ANU, Global Change Institute UQ, IT Power Australia, SMA and others.
The presentation will be especially interesting to Australians considering their career options. While Australia’s mining boom may be over, the next employment boom could be powered by the sun. It’s a green jobs revolution that will need workers with the appropriate skills; especially in areas such as systems level integration, research and development and human sciences.
Globally, the solar industry has come a long way in a very short time.
“The amount of product manufactured has grown over 40 times since the turn of the century. The cost of manufacturing has reduced over seven times over the last seven years,” says Professor Martin Green, Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales and Director of the Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics.
Solar panels have rapidly progressed from a novelty to a technology that has turned the energy industry on its head.
“We’ve really seen the technology come from being something of almost an amusing nature 10 years ago to something that is really part of the energy mix,” says SMA’s Mark Twidell.
One of the many attractive aspects of solar power systems is they are an energy source that provides power to the people; by the people, for the people.
“It’s touched every type of segment and sector, and it works,” said Anthony Stocken, Head of Business Development at SunEdison. “People love this stuff”.
Solar PV has been cost effective when compared with expensive diesel powered electricity in off grid areas of Australia for some time – and these days it’s also a solid investment for businesses and residences with suitable rooftop space just about everywhere in mains-grid connected Australia.
Regardless of unstable government policy and old energy diehards digging their heels in; solar’s massive support in the community means it is here to stay – and it’s only going to get even more exciting in the years ahead. Australia’s “Bright Solar Future” may be assured; but the appropriate political will is still required to ensure the sector achieves its full potential.
The APVI supports the increased development and use of PV via research, analysis and information.
