(22/n) An extra common question regarding PV (usually this is not a problem in IAMs): Do we have enough space? Yes, generating the world current electricity consumption with PV would require 0.3% of the available land. More detailed calculations confirm this result, see SI
(23/n) In some specific regions (highly populated) space could be a problem. Innovations at the plant level include also dual use of infrastructure/land: rooftop PV, agrivoltaics, floating PV, irrigation channels ...
bbc.com/future/article…
ingenioer.au.dk/en/current/new…
(24/n) Another common question: Do we have enough materials? Silver used to manufacture contacts is the most critical material for Silicon solar cells, but again the technology is learning fast: less mg Silver/W are required every year.
(25/n) We are witnessing rapid changes. In 2010, no large power system existed with more than 3% of solar PV. In 2019, solar PV supplied 9% of electricity demand in Germany and 19% in California. How will this look like in 2030? Some countries have ambitious plans!
(26/n) In October 2020, South Australia operated for an hour with 100% PV electricity. Of course, this is only a short-time record, but one of the many that are to come.
reneweconomy.com.au/solar-meets-10…
(27/n) Finally, we identify 4 challenges for a sustained scaling up of solar PV: 1⃣ adequate regulatory frameworks that reduce soft costs, 2⃣ reducing capital expenditure via industrial innovations,
(28/n) 3⃣ untapping the demand for PV by enabling electrification of other energy sectors assisted by proper tax schemes, 4⃣ and strengthening research on improving efficiency and reliability of PV systems.
(29/n) Many thanks to co-authors and those reading the draft and providing feedback.
Paper: authors.elsevier.com/a/1cpj3925JEG7…
Data and scripts to plot the figures: github.com/martavp/pv-is-…
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