Up to 3.7GW of solar could be deployed in Ireland by 2030 if Dublin commits to supporting the burgeoning PV industry.
A new report commissioned by the Irish Solar Energy Association has concluded that policy supports totalling €670 million between 2017 and 2030 will be required to develop a thriving solar sector.
The cash would result in a 1% increase in domestic retail electricity prices, the report estimates.
However, authors KPMG believe that for every €1 of policy support the sector will deliver €3 of gross value added to 2030.
The study says that an 80% fall in PV costs in recent years may also provide the spark which sets to PV fire in Ireland
“The costs of solar PV will continue to fall, with increased volumes worldwide driving cost reductions in module manufacture, and continued technological innovation,” says the study.
“It is currently at or very close to ‘grid parity’ in many markets around the world, and is forecast to become the cheapest electricity generating technology over the coming decades.”
The report also predicts the solar industry has the potential to support up to 7,300 jobs per year and may step into the breach if Ireland fails to reach its 2020 targets.
“Ireland’s principle renewable technology to date has been onshore wind, but there are signs, as in other European countries, of growing resistance to the technology which could slow the pace of future deployment,” says the report.
“Compared to other generation technologies, solar PV can be built and put into operation very quickly, meaning that it could significantly reduce the risk of Ireland missing its 2020 renewables target and incurring large infraction fines, as well as provide a solid foundation to meet future targets.”
Image: Solarlec
