Conclusions of the Second Photovoltaic Mediterranean Conference held in Athens on 19 and 20 April 2007.

This was announced by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), at the 2nd Photovoltaic Mediterranean Conference, taking place in Athens on 19 and 20 April.

In Greece, according to projections of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association, solar power could provide electricity to half a million of households in Greece by 2020, provided of course that an adequate promotion towards the end-user market is actively put in place. Over 65 000 jobs are expected to be created in Greece. The Greek law on Renewable Energy Sources sets the goal that in 2020, at least 700 MW will have been installed in Greece, while the EPIA anticipates that it could exceed by far 1200 MW.



In 2006, EPIA estimates that photovoltaic energy supplied 400 GWh of electricity all over the Mediterranean, while it expects that in 2010 it will amount to 5 TWh and 78 TWh in 2020. In particular, this could have very positive impact on the environment as it could enable to save 47 million tons of CO2 emissions in 2020.

For the last 5 years, the photovoltaic sector has experienced annual growth of 40%. It is expected that this trend will continue until 2010. Between 2011 and 2016 the growth rate is expected to stabilise at 26% while from 2016 to 2020 growth should be at 19%. In 2007 the Global photovoltaic industry is expected to invest 2,6 billion euros in new production capacities. EPIA estimates that investments until 2010 will raise to 14 billion in order to meet the increasing demand. Dr. Winfried Hoffmann , President of EPIA stressed that the recent favourable legislative frameworks set in different European Mediterranean countries such as Spain, Italy or Greece is giving further confidence to investors. Photovoltaics is today one of the most dynamic economic business and it is one of the few industrial sectors able to significantly create jobs in developed economies and re-boost local development.



As Ernesto Macias, President of the Alliance for Rural Electrification recalled, solar photovoltaic energy, as a decentralised form of energy, is able to bring electricity to remote areas. Today 1,6 billion people on earth do not have access to energy. Photovoltaic combined with other renewable sources of energy can bring clean solutions to this problem. Developing countries should learn on the lessons from the past and favour development of clean energy sources in order to ensure sustainable development. In his closing speech Mr. Macias, who is also Vice-President of EPIA, announced that the next PV MED conference will be held in 2009 at a country in South or Eastern Mediterranean.


Proposals to further develop PV in the Mediterranean:

In the conclusions of the two-day conference, several proposals which were adopted by the members and the participants from 30 different countries from the Mediterranean and Europe, were made. These, if followed could contribute to a further development of PV in the region:

PV potential of Mediterranean region is huge and strategic, therefore:

* PV technology is the adequate answer to specific energy and water needs.

* More commitment in terms of financial tools coming from governments and multilateral institutions is necessary to create progress.

* Develop innovative financial mechanisms ("smart subsidies" ).

* PV in grid-connected markets will soon become a competitive option.

A common strategy is needed in order to have:

* National and Regional priorities in terms of applications.

* Promote and coordinate a regional policy framework.

* Create an aggregation of market opportunities to get:

- major confidence from institutional and private investors

- industrial partnership and joint venture.

Please provide us a copy of any publication in which this information is used.

Conference Communication Coordinator:
Marie Latour,
European Photovoltaic Industry Association
Email :info@pvmed.org
Tel : +32 4 85 154 782