solar photovoltaic presentation to the 2008 electrical industry leaders forum victor de sousa – bp...

Solar Photovoltaic Presentation to the

2008 Electrical Industry Leaders Forum Victor De Sousa – BP Solar26 August 2008

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How does solar PV work?

• Solar photovoltaic cells are solid-state semiconductors

• Light hits the cell, freeing electrons in the silicon which, with enough energy, move through the silicon and into an external circuit.

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The lifecycle of a solar panel

Raw silicon

Silicon wafer is converted into a

solar cell

Multiple cells are use to form solar

modulesMultiple modules installed to form an array

Silicon is cast into ingots and sliced into

wafers

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How are solar panels installed?

Retrofitted to existing roofs

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How are solar panels installed?

On an array structure, usually ground-mounted

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How are solar panels installed?

Integrated into the fabric of a building:

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How is solar energy used and stored?

• Grid-connected solar

• Stand-alone solar

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Global growth of solar market recently

Source: Navigant Consulting, 2008.

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Projected growth of the global solar market

Source: Navigant Consulting, 2008.

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Projected growth of the global solar market

Source: Navigant Consulting, 2008.

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Solar resource is plentiful in Australia

Hot spot: the colour-coded world map, with Australia bottom right, produced by NASA to show where solar energy has the maximum

effect

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Growth of the Australian market

Source: APVA 2008

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The Australian political climate is warming to solar

• Extension of the Remote Renewable Power Generation

Programme rebate (RRPGP)

• Solar Homes and Communities Programme (SHCP)

• The Federal Government’s Solar Schools

• Solar Cities trials

• Continuation of Renewable Energy Certificates under

MRET

• Green loans (2009)

• Introduction of feed-in tariffs

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Rise in rebate applications after rebate rise in July 2007

Watts Installed by Monthto June 2008

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Grid Watts SAP Watts

Rebate doubled to $8k in July 07

Source: Australian Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts,2008

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Feed-in tariff: mechanics

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Current feed-in tariffs in Australia

Update with WA

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BSCE Accreditation

• The aims of the BCSE Industry Accreditation scheme are:

1. Gives customers increased confidence in the design and installation work.2. to improve the safety, performance and reliability of renewable energy systems installed.3. to encourage industry best practice 4. to provide a network of competent systems designers and installers.

• Pre-requisites for accreditation include:

− Satisfactory completion of a industry training course

• Find out more at www.bcse.org.au

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Industry vision for a solar powered nation

• A nationally consistent gross feed-in tariff (paid on all generation, not just excess) would propel the Australian solar industry sustainably and produce the following results:

− 3GW of new peak energy generation capacity

− Saving of 4 million tonnes of GHG pa

− Spark major private investment in energy infrastructure

− Create a green collar workforce of more than 9,000 jobs

− Build an industry at scale to drive down cost for the long term

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Thank You