Spanish solar industry facing dramatic challenges

VALENCIA, SPAIN: The EU PVSEC takes place in a time when this industry is facing dramatic challenges. In end-September, the current feed-in regulations for operators of photovoltaic plants will end and new regulations will be published. The Spanish government proposal foresees dramatic incentive cuts and a market cap at one-third of the expected market size in 2008.

“The present draft of the new regulation is too drastic and not acceptable for the industry”, said ASIF President Javier Anta during the EU PVSEC´s press conference on September 1st. “Solutions exist to orderly walk firmly the future, and it is expected that the government will take one of them to avoid the debacle of the PV industry in Spain in 2009. But there is not much time because the Spanish industry has already been notably affected. The improvement of the present draft is an urgent must”, he said.

Hans-Josef Fell, member of the German Parliament, added that “the challenge for Spain is to ensure that in the coming months and years reliable legal conditions are finally created for investors.” He appealed to the Spanish government “to put an end to the current problematic stop-and-go situation, not to introduce an upper limit for annual investments and instead to introduce a flexible degressive scale geared to changes in the market.”

Ernesto Macías, President of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) emphasized the importance to reach grid parity as soon as possible in order to facilitate the development of solar technology without subsidies. Until then, “it is necessary to keep on promoting the feed in tariff system in Europe”, he said.

Conference Chairman Daniel Lincot launches Valencia Call for Photovoltaics

In his Welcome Message on September 1st, EU PVSEC Conference Chairman Daniel Lincot launched the Valencia Call for Solar Photovoltaics. He addressed politicians from all over the world with this international call of scientists to accelerate the worldwide deployment of photovoltaics through international research, development, cooperation and education programs. “We have the technology close to competitiveness”, Lincot said. “Solar electricity has to be a key part of the response that is needed now to solve crucial energy, environmental and climate concerns.”