Photovoltaics: a quiet revolution (in English and Spanish)
Despite persistent petroleum-market softness discouraging development of alternative energy in general, a quiet revolution is taking place with the emerging solar technology known as photovoltaics. Interest in this potential is keen in several developing countries, where oil-import bills since the last price shock are still a terrible burden. The total world market for photovoltaic devices in 1977 was about US $8.6 million. By 1979, this figure more than doubled, to US $19.6 million. World solar sales nearly tripled in the following two years, increasing to US $55.4 million in 1981. World solar sales are expected to grow to nearly US $84 million by the end of 1982. Projection of future market trends vary but reflect an expectation of continued accelerated growth. A recent report by the New York-based market research firm, Frost and Sullivan, estimates that the total market for complete systems could reach more than US $1 billion by the end of the decade. This company further projects a potential world market exceeding US $2 billion by 1995 and $10 billion by 2005. According to Photovoltaic Energy Systems, Inc., a Virginia, US-based consultancy, world solar sales volumes could grow to US $120 million in 1983, $300 million in 1985, $1.5 billion in 1990, and $10 billion by 2000. After presenting the basis of photovoltaics (how they work), this issue also addresses competing photovoltaic technologies and research options. Also, this issue updates the fuel price/tax series for the Eastern Hemisphere countries.
- OSTI ID:
- 7151073
- Journal Information:
- Energy Detente; (United States), Vol. 3:14
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English and Spanish
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Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
COAL
PRICES
NATURAL GAS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERSION
FORECASTING
MARKET
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
STATISTICAL DATA
TAXES
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CONVERSION
DATA
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
INFORMATION
MATERIALS
NUMERICAL DATA
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
POWER SUPPLIES
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion
299001 - Energy Planning & Policy- Solar- (1989-)
294000 - Energy Planning & Policy- Fossil Fuels
290200 - Energy Planning & Policy- Economics & Sociology