Solar PV: a hi-tech industry waiting for take-off
Few industries have benefited as much from new technology advances as solar photovoltaics (PV), the fastest growing renewable energy business across the world in the last decade.
Unfortunately, Ireland still has no solar energy industry worth speaking of.
There are 658 applications here to connect solar arrays to the electricity grid, which would bring 6.533 GW of power to the grid, indicating there is in fact over-interest in solar, because our winter peak power demand is only 5.5 GW.
The applications involve some form of solar contract on up to 15,000 acres of farmland in Ireland, according to IFA estimates. However, for this huge interest in solar to take shape on the ground probably depends on the government subsidising production of solar energy, as it has done with wind farms.
Wind accounted for 82% of our renewable electricity generation by the end of 2016, and over 22% of our final electricity usage, but solar PV had only an 0.01% share, well behind hydro (2.5%), biomass (1.6%), and even landfill gas (0.6%).
A windfarm-style support mechanism for solar PV is still awaited.
However, the Government intends to open a grant-aided pilot scheme this summer for solar PV microgeneration, targeted initially at self-consumption and for domestic properties.
The solar industry here is forecasting 200,000 micro-generation installations across private homes, businesses and farms over the next 10 years.
The main technology advance boosting solar PV in recent years is that direct sunlight is no longer necessary, which makes it suitable for Northern European countries.
The cost of the infrastructure has fallen dramatically in recent years, by an estimated 80% between 2008 and 2013, as a result of economies of scale and advances in technology, techniques, and experience in installation.
Solarwatt is the latest company to enter the PV solar panels market here.
This German manufacturer of solar panels and battery storage systems anticipates significant market growth in micro-generation with the roll out this summer of the Government pilot micro-generation grant scheme for homes.
Their panels come with a 30-year product and 30-year performance warranty, and five-year all risks insurance cover.
They have glass panels which completely protect the PV solar cells from damaging environmental conditions including high rainfall, wind and hail, corrosive gases such as ammonia, and salt in coastal areas. The company says these panels can generate up to 35% more electricity over their design life of 40 years, far exceeding that guaranteed by market standard glass-foil design panels.
Solarwatt also launched its Matrix battery storage systems at the recent Energy Show.
