Copenhagen unites global photovoltaics industry

The leading photovotaics associations are in Copenhagen and this time, rather than all going separately they have gone hand in hand to the “climate capital” as part of an initiative called SolarCOP15. The intention of SolarCOP 15 is to demonstrate that “solar energy is a simple, practical solution that can be quickly deployed for a reduced-carbon present and future”.

SolarCOP15 has been endorsed by more than 40 of the major trade associations from around the globe that represent the various types of solar power technologies. SolarCOP15 has programmed a number of activities in Copenhagen and also provides information on its website about its members, the events being organised, and news on the latest developments at the climate conference. The activities of SolarCOP15 are managed and implemented by the European Photovoltaic Industry (EPIA) and the US-based Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

SoalrCOP15 has become a very useful communication tool, providing, for example, the letter sent by the solar industry to Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations and Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in which the industry reminded these leading figures that “a significant part of greenhouse gas emissions could be eliminated through the increased use of solar energy”.

SolarCOP15 also explains that: “Solar energy is not only the single cleanest form of energy generation, the technology is ready now to provide energy at any scale, from a kilowatt to megawatts. Solar power creates jobs and instantly lifts the economic condition in developing countries by providing access to electricity. These technologies can be deployed faster, with local labour, at comparable cost to traditional fuel sources. Beyond the developed world, there are 1.6 billion people without access to electricity. Many of them live in areas ideally situated to benefit from cost-effective, reliable solar power. Solar provides the opportunity for developing countries to leapfrog traditional fossil fuel dependency and meet their needs with clean, efficient solar power”.

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