Global solar PV output to reach almost 200GW by end of 2014

7 Oct 2014

China’s major push towards introducing solar photovoltaic (PV) generators could soon see the world’s entire solar output almost reach 200GW by the end of 2014.

In the fourth quarter of 2014 alone, the amount of energy produced by solar energy is expected to be the equivalent of five large nuclear power plants and will total more than the entire solar output for 2010.

The figures came from the quarterly report put together by the US solar industry researcher Solarbuzz, which found China’s efforts will see its initial forecast of 50GW of solar PV panel construction by the end of 2014.

According to Solarbuzz’s figures, there are three existing powerhouses of the solar PV world. Aside from China, there is the US and Japan, who account for 70pc of the world’s solar PV energy output during this calendar year so far.

China started the beginning of this year with a bang after it announced it was to build a giant 1GW solar plant in its remote Xinjiang region to facilitate its expanding production facilities and economy.

Speaking of the news, Solarbuzz’s senior analyst, Michael Baker, said the solar PV production industry is finally showing signs of progress again.

“Global PV end-market demand continues to set new records, restoring investor confidence in the PV industry after several years of overcapacity and declining profits.”

Colm Gorey was a senior journalist with Silicon Republic

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