Photovoltaics will overthrow the global capacity for nuclear power generation, according to a new American study. Rising demand could make solar the main source of energy by 2050.
By the end of 2017, photovoltaic power plants around the world are expected to have a capacity of 390 GW, Greentech Media (GTM) estimates. A capacity increasingly close to 391.5 GW of current nuclear production. Is photovoltaic really catching up?
The research shows that for the first time nuclear and solar capacities will be on an equal footing and that Chinese demand could allow photovoltaics to exceed nuclear power by the end of the year . Their Global Solar Demand Monitor, which analyzes global demand, also indicates that global solar capacity could reach 871 GW by 2022, double the current nuclear capacity.
GTM recognizes that production capacity does not reflect the situation, and that the atom still dominates the market in terms of total electricity generated. Nuclear energy supplies almost 2.5 million GWh each year, while solar power supplies only 375,000 GWh. This translates into 11% and 1.1% respectively of world production.
The International Energy Agency’s 2014 study on the pace of photovoltaic growth predicts that 16% of global demand could be met by solar energy by 2050 in the case of strong growth, “simply reflects the current real scenario”.
With growth rates and cost reductions exceeding expectations over the last three years, the International Energy Agency estimates that a 16% production capacity would make solar the main source of global energy by 2050 .
Europe currently has about 100 GW of solar production capacity. It is the sixth largest source of energy in the continent after natural gas, wind, coal, nuclear and hydroelectric power.
