New Report: Solar Deployment Would Combat Climate Change

The global solar sector offered a new report, titled "Seizing the Solar Solution: Combating Climate Change Through Accelerated Deployment," as part of the industry's efforts at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP16), which took place in Cancun in December 2010.

This solar coalition, comprising more than 40 international solar and renewable energy organizations, is demonstrating the immediate potential of the accelerated deployment of solar energy in reducing harmful pollution, combating climate change, and creating jobs and economic impact. The group is urging political and business leaders to take action now to accelerate solar deployment.

The report shows that combined world targets for solar electric capacity will reach 700 GW and solar thermal capacity will reach 280 GW (GWth, thermal equivalent) by 2020. This level would reduce carbon pollution by 570 megatons, equivalent to shutting down more than 100 coal plants, according to the companies.

The report also identifies key policies the global solar industry supports in combating climate change. They include the following:

• Establishing a price on carbon to ensure a level playing field and factor externalities into the costs of fossil fuels;

• Setting internationally agreed midterm and long-term emission reduction targets for all developed countries;

• Ending the massive subsidies given to fossil-fuel industries;

• Ensuring that renewable energy targets set by developing countries qualify as Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions; and

• Developing an international financing framework to encourage technology transfer and investment in solar projects worldwide.

SOURCE: Solar Energy Industries Association