Chapter 13
Photovoltaics in the Future Energy
System
Stefan Nowak
Abstract This chapter describes how the PV market is expected to grow significantly
over time to become a key part of the future energy system. Expected developments
in terms of volume, applications and costs are discussed, including how these relate
to regulatory framework conditions. Moreover, relevant topics such as sustainability
and energy system integration are addressed.
13.1 Market Development
13.1.1 Historical Development
After the discovery and the demonstration of possible applications of silicon solar
cells in 1954 by Pearson et al. [1], the initial use of photovoltaics was to power the
very first satellites in 1958, both by the United States (Vanguard 1) and by the former
Soviet Union (Sputnik III).
Even at very high cost, the possibility to bring electric power to remote locations
opened up the path to the terrestrial use of photovoltaics, starting with military
and professional applications (navigational and telecommunication systems). In the
1970s, little by little, off-grid systems emerged as economically viable applications,
opening up broader markets and leading to the industrial manufacturing of solar cells
and modules. Photovoltaics also became an option for applications in remote places
of developing countries where no electricity was available.
Deemed as hardly ever commercially competitive with costs of electricity from
the grid, first grid-connected photovoltaic power systems were realized in the 1980s
and formed the basis for a strongly increased research and development effort. In the
1990s, many public and private initiatives were taken worldwide, to demonstrate the
large diversity of photovoltaic systems, from small-scale off-grid to grid-connected
systems (integrated in buildings), and even up to “large-scale” (at that time MW p )
S. Nowak (B)
NET Nowak Energy & Technology, St. Ursen, Switzerland
e-mail: Stefan.nowak@netenergy.ch
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
A. Shah (ed.), Solar Cells and Modules, Springer Series in Materials Science 301,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46487-5_13
321
Photovoltaics in the Future Energy
System
Stefan Nowak
Abstract This chapter describes how the PV market is expected to grow significantly
over time to become a key part of the future energy system. Expected developments
in terms of volume, applications and costs are discussed, including how these relate
to regulatory framework conditions. Moreover, relevant topics such as sustainability
and energy system integration are addressed.
13.1 Market Development
13.1.1 Historical Development
After the discovery and the demonstration of possible applications of silicon solar
cells in 1954 by Pearson et al. [1], the initial use of photovoltaics was to power the
very first satellites in 1958, both by the United States (Vanguard 1) and by the former
Soviet Union (Sputnik III).
Even at very high cost, the possibility to bring electric power to remote locations
opened up the path to the terrestrial use of photovoltaics, starting with military
and professional applications (navigational and telecommunication systems). In the
1970s, little by little, off-grid systems emerged as economically viable applications,
opening up broader markets and leading to the industrial manufacturing of solar cells
and modules. Photovoltaics also became an option for applications in remote places
of developing countries where no electricity was available.
Deemed as hardly ever commercially competitive with costs of electricity from
the grid, first grid-connected photovoltaic power systems were realized in the 1980s
and formed the basis for a strongly increased research and development effort. In the
1990s, many public and private initiatives were taken worldwide, to demonstrate the
large diversity of photovoltaic systems, from small-scale off-grid to grid-connected
systems (integrated in buildings), and even up to “large-scale” (at that time MW p )
S. Nowak (B)
NET Nowak Energy & Technology, St. Ursen, Switzerland
e-mail: Stefan.nowak@netenergy.ch
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
A. Shah (ed.), Solar Cells and Modules, Springer Series in Materials Science 301,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46487-5_13
321