The 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition started on Monday, 21 September 2009, in Hamburg, Germany, with 943 Exhibitors and more than 4,000 Conference Delegates.
The 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition has opened its doors at the CCH – Congress Center Hamburg and the Hamburg International Fair, Germany, for industry representatives, researchers, engineers, investors, and policy makers involved in the global photovoltaic community. With 40,000 visitors expected at the exhibition and more than 4,000 Conference Delegates it is the most inspiring platform for the PV solar sector.
Prof. Wim Sinke, ECN Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands, and General Conference Chairman of the 24th EU PVSEC, opened the event. He recalled 2009 as both a turbulent and exciting year for the photovoltaic community with the financial crisis, the election of Barack Obama, the EU’s 2020 targets, the new role of China, and the leading German market. Prof. Sinke emphasized that the 24th EU PVSEC offers an occasion to show the vitality, ambition and the very positive spirit in the solar energy world in meeting new important goals.
A personal message from the recently re-elected President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso was delivered to the audience by Pierre Dechamps, Bureau of European Policy Advisors to President Barroso. In his written statement he emphasized that ‘solar photovoltaic will be one of the essential contributors to the necessary increase in the supply of renewable energy from the 7-8% we have now to our ambitious but feasible objective.’
Giovanni Federigo De Santi, Director of the Institute of Energy, Joint Research Centre, delivered a message from the European Commission. In his speech Mr. De Santi announced that the upcoming European Commission Communication on Financing Low Carbon Technologies, will be published by the Commission on the 7th October 2009. He views this legislation as a pivotal piece of implementing the EU’s Strategic Energy Technology Plan. Six industrial initiatives (wind, solar, bioenergy, CCS, Electricity grid, Fission) aimed at financing demonstration projects in those areas, will be launched in this Financing Low Carbon Technology Communication.
Joachim Nick-Leptin, Head of Division at the German Federal Ministry for Environment, looked at the future for the feed-in-tariff in Germany in view of the upcoming German elections. He stated several reasons for the PV community to be optimistic for the retention of this support scheme in the next coalition, and he urged the industry to become more cost competitive in the upcoming years. He views transferring PV production to Asia as dangerous development to the market, however his objective for the industry is to develop a truly global photovoltaic market outside of Germany. ‘Times are difficult but there is a reason to be optimistic. The world needs PV to solve its fundamental problems.’
Scott Stephens, US Department of Energy, provided a unique insight into the USA’s Research & Development efforts and market drivers for PV technology. Obama’s Stimulus Bill in this respect may inject several billion in US $ across the PV value chains over the next few years. The USA is a most ambitious actor for the development of PV technologies.
During the Opening Session David Nelson, Senior Partner and Head of Design, Foster + Partners, London, UK, presented his thoughts in his keynote speech ‘Sustainability and the Future of the City’. He remarked how we need to redefine how cities are organized by rethinking architecture to be more sustainable in cities. Such an example is Foster + Partners' landmark Masdar Initiative in Abu Dhabi, which is developing the world’s first zero carbon city. PV will make up 42% of the energy demand of Masdar, the city will be supplied by 100% renewable energy sources.
The Interim Director General of IRENA, Hélène Pelosse, delivered a video message to the audience, IRENA will be housed in Masdar City and “will be the first intergovernmental organization concentrating 100% full time on Renewable Energies,” said Pelosse. PV, she highlighted ‘will be the next commodity’ and ‘we need a green new deal to make sure it will take off.’
Winfred Hoffmann, President of European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), said EPIA saw an exceptional growth in 2009 and the market forecast of EPIA for 2009 of 4.6 - 6.7 GW installed PV capacity will be realized. Considering the negative comments of the German press in the recent weeks on the development of PV, he pointed out that, on the contrary, the feed-in-tariff in Germany has helped develop the European PV industry into a multi-billion dollar business. He added that PV has contributed in the past years to a positive net growth of employment, generating 100,000 jobs in the EU.
The 17th Becquerel Prize was awarded to Dr Andreas Bett, Fraunhofer ISE. The Becquerel Prize Committee chaired by Professer Adolf Goetzberger selected Dr Bett for his pioneering work on multijunction solar cells.
Dr Hermann Scheer, Member of the German Parliament and President of Eurosolar, concluded the Opening Session with a resounding positive speech on the future of PV. He said that ‘PV is the most underestimated energy technology and is the source that leads to fear among the big power companies. This technology revolution with PV is just at its beginning.’
The EU PVSEC is supported by European and international organizations such as The European Commission, UNESCO - United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization - Natural Sciences Sector, WCRE - World Council for Renewable Energy and IPVEA – the International Photovoltaic Equipment Association and by the institutional promotional cooperation with the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA). The Technical Programme is coordinated by the European Commission, DG Joint Research Centre. The EU PVSEC is realised by WIP-Renewable Energies.
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