International body: solar to produce majority of global power

30th Aug 2011

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has forecast solar power to be the leading source of energy within 50 years.

Australia can view the prediction as welcome news for consumers looking to invest in the future of the environment and their energy security needs.

IEA senior analyst Cedric Philibert told Bloomberg: "Photovoltaic and concentrated solar power together can become the major source of electricity."

"You’ll have a lot more electricity than today but most of it will be produced by solar-electric technologies,” he says.

Philibert believes that fossil fuels will fade in prevalence as global powers take up cheaper, renewable alternatives.

With widespread adoption across the globe, carbon emissions will fall, with IEA's estimates expecting a drop from the current level of 30 gigatons to three gigatons by 2060.

Bloomberg reports that the prediction will form part of a study scheduled to be released later this year.

Previously the IEA predicted that solar and photovoltaic technology would be responsible for 21 per cent of the world's energy generation.

The reasoning behind the revision will be detailed at conference in Germany on September 1, 2011.

Australia can take comfort in the prediction, particularly given the current situation in the local solar sector.

Reliance on fossil fuels as the country's predominant source of energy generation has contributed to a wealth of carbon pollution.

It also means that our traditional energy infrastructure has been built around coal-fired power, with the sector being the predominant source of electricity for Australians.

This has meant that the transition to renewable energy will be a lengthy process, requiring government support to shift the way in which the country generates and uses energy.

Australia has seen the beginning of a new era, with thousands of households and businesses installing solar panel systems on rooftops across the nation.

As technology develops, solar power will become more competitive with coal-fired power, as consumers see the benefits of generating electricity at home, as opposed to buying it from the grid.

Individual states in Australia have set solar targets to meet over the next few years, meaning that state initiatives will ideally work alongside the federal government's new push for a switch to renewable energy.

Governments both at home and abroad also have additional incentives to help build the solar industry beyond environmental targets.

As the industry develops, more jobs are created to help research, develop, manufacture and install solar panel technology.

-Mike Peacock: Solar Correspondent

All solar power news categories

Government Rebate & Regulations
Solar Power & Technology


More Solar Power & Technology

Australia to be a part of huge Asian renewable energy growth
SunPower steps up to make solar more affordable
Canberra makes strides toward carbon neutrality
GTM puts solar's massive growth in perspective
Examining Australia's falling solar PV rooftop prices
Australia's shift toward renewable energy picks up the pace
Australia shines at solar decathlon
University of Queensland tapped as lead researcher on massive solar project
100 per cent renewable energy is possible in 10 years, environmental group says
Climate Commission releases report on solar progress
Aussie government actually shows spine for solar power
Be gone, skeptics: One million solar installations and counting
Australia embarks on its greatest solar journey ever
Australia looks to solar thermal for commercial success
Solar power helps King Island reach 100% sustainability
Australians 'heavy supporters of solar power'
Mildura solar plant officially unveiled
Solar power trumps other renewables in Australian minds
Sunshine Coast solar farm "fantastic initiative"
Sunshine Coast cashes in on namesake with solar plans
Energy storage 'could maximise solar power utility'
Solar powered family car - a world first?
Code of conduct for solar installers in the works
'Stop punishing households' for solar PV
Australian solar companies 'adjusting well'
Australian mining 'next solar frontier'
"Rooftop revolution" underway across Australia
Global PV market emerging from sluggish period
Royalla solar farm receives final approval
Leadership challenge a "debacle" for Australian solar power
Solar power giving global renewables a helping hand
Australia's largest CPV solar power plant up and running
Renewable energy misinformation "staggering"
CEC: Don't underestimate consumer desire for solar
Setting energy efficient examples on TV
Solar PV brightening up household bills
World's largest solar powered boat on the move
Climate change is heating up
The global solar power shift
New solar tech win for NSW
Industry orgs praise City of Sydney solar efforts
Clean Energy Council supports Regional Renewables scheme
Asian nations emerging as PV leaders
Solar PV demand continues to grow
Regional areas of Australia to receive more renewables
Australia's significant renewable energy growth
Solar panel reprieve for Queensland
New funding for solar research
Find love with sustainable speed dating
New Victorian solar power deal
 To get your quotes, please enter your postcode: