Preface
The coming years will—without any doubt—see a tremendous change in the
world—climate change, globalization, political upheavals, unprecedented migration
of populations and economic instability are some keywords that come to my mind
in this context. Many of us are concerned about these changes and think, in particular, of climate change as a huge menace looming right in front of us.
The message of this book is, however, that there is absolutely no reason for fear;
on the contrary, these changes will open up unprecedented opportunities, and new
perspectives, if only we are prepared to rapidly act: collectively, collaboratively and
with courage. One of the major opportunities, which is already clearly visible, lies
in the field of photovoltaics (PV). This book will tell you how and why photovoltaics will constitute a decisive factor in contributing towards a very positive and
favourable development of the whole world.
Let us look forward to the year 2050, just far enough that we have the time to
modify by then the whole world’s supply of energy; just near enough, so that fairly
accurate predictions can be made. By 2050, we should be able to supply 50% of the
world’s total electricity with PV. Why focus on photovoltaics, rather than on other
forms of renewable energy? This is because PV is truly unique. It is the only form
of renewable energy that can be rapidly deployed at the necessary scale in every
region of the world—on rural buildings, within cities, on mountains, in deserts and
even on the surface of lakes and of the sea.
Of course, one can put PV to use in giant installations, in the same way, as one
builds large gas power stations or huge hydroelectric dams. But photovoltaic systems have tremendous flexibility, in size, form and shape. Therefore, they should
preferably be used in a decentralized manner—as near as possible to the current
consumer, they can indeed be installed in small units, on the roof of a house, or in
the midst of a pond. But will such small dispersed units really have any effect on the
world’s supply of electricity? Yes, they will—because there will be many millions
of them.
As my mentor and guide, Shree Chamanlal Gupta of the Aurobindo Ashram in
Pondicherry—the man who convinced me to start the photovoltaic laboratory in
Neuchâtel—was always repeating to me:
v
The coming years will—without any doubt—see a tremendous change in the
world—climate change, globalization, political upheavals, unprecedented migration
of populations and economic instability are some keywords that come to my mind
in this context. Many of us are concerned about these changes and think, in particular, of climate change as a huge menace looming right in front of us.
The message of this book is, however, that there is absolutely no reason for fear;
on the contrary, these changes will open up unprecedented opportunities, and new
perspectives, if only we are prepared to rapidly act: collectively, collaboratively and
with courage. One of the major opportunities, which is already clearly visible, lies
in the field of photovoltaics (PV). This book will tell you how and why photovoltaics will constitute a decisive factor in contributing towards a very positive and
favourable development of the whole world.
Let us look forward to the year 2050, just far enough that we have the time to
modify by then the whole world’s supply of energy; just near enough, so that fairly
accurate predictions can be made. By 2050, we should be able to supply 50% of the
world’s total electricity with PV. Why focus on photovoltaics, rather than on other
forms of renewable energy? This is because PV is truly unique. It is the only form
of renewable energy that can be rapidly deployed at the necessary scale in every
region of the world—on rural buildings, within cities, on mountains, in deserts and
even on the surface of lakes and of the sea.
Of course, one can put PV to use in giant installations, in the same way, as one
builds large gas power stations or huge hydroelectric dams. But photovoltaic systems have tremendous flexibility, in size, form and shape. Therefore, they should
preferably be used in a decentralized manner—as near as possible to the current
consumer, they can indeed be installed in small units, on the roof of a house, or in
the midst of a pond. But will such small dispersed units really have any effect on the
world’s supply of electricity? Yes, they will—because there will be many millions
of them.
As my mentor and guide, Shree Chamanlal Gupta of the Aurobindo Ashram in
Pondicherry—the man who convinced me to start the photovoltaic laboratory in
Neuchâtel—was always repeating to me:
v