Climate Solutions
GLOBAL GREEN PRESENTS INITIAL SOLAR REPORT CARD AT SOLAR POWER INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Inadequate Global Investment in Solar Technology Impedes Ability to Combat Climate Change and Provide Sustainable Energy Future
Final Grades and Full Report to be Released in Advance of The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Posnan
San Diego, CA - October 14, 2008 - Global Green USA President Matt Petersen unveiled the organization’s first annual Global Solar Report Card at the Solar Power International Conference in San Diego. The first of its kind report compares the solar energy policies of 14 countries and the state of California.
“Solar power has a tremendous potential to deliver substantial amounts of clean electricity while creating new jobs in manufacturing and solar installation,” said Matt Petersen. “Solar power will only become competitive once government incentives and policies help advance the market—something that could easily be achieved by eliminating subsidies for polluting oil and gas and investing them in solar.”
The growth potential for the solar market is truly exponential--with every doubling of global production output, production costs are reduced by approximately 20%. Furthermore, solar power electrification in parts of the developing world can be cheaper than other more dangerous, unhealthy and polluting sources currently in use such as kerosene and candles.
The study looked at countries’ progress to date in terms of solar installed, as well as drivers for future growth, namely policy frameworks in place such as financial and regulatory incentives. Germany – an early and enduring champion of solar, ranked the highest. California, also included in the study, fared well, thanks to its California Solar Initiative, and 10 year $3 billion rebate program. Despite the United States’ recent extension of the Investment Tax Credit, its overall rating was just fair.
Countries with still young markets but promising policy frameworks are Italy and Greece, though efforts are needed there to reduce bureaucratic hurdles. Australia too could become an important solar stronghold. On the other hand, countries that do not provide long-term support for a sustainable growth of solar markets are China, Russia and the United Kingdom. Japan, which once owed its #1 position in solar production and installations to a residential photovoltaic rebate program, currently offers no support for future growth.
With these report cards, Global Green USA highlighted the leaders and best practices that can be replicated while pointing out the laggards in fostering solar markets. The report also considered countries that stand to gain most by developing their solar markets given their solar resources and how polluting their current electricity generation is. These are the United States, China, India, Australia, and Spain.
The final version of the report card will be available online in 45 days. If you have any questions, or
are interested in receiving a copy of the presentation from Solar Power International, please contact Alexandra Kravetz.
About Global Green USA
Global Green USA is the American affiliate of President Gorbachev’s Green Cross International. For the last fifteen years, Global Green has been a champion of solar power as a smart climate solution and has helped influence state and national legislation to create incentives for solar power – particularly to benefit low-income families and communities. Global Green is building The Holy Cross Project – the first solar powered, net zero energy housing development in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward as a model sustainable village with lead funding support from the Home Depot Foundation.
In 2007, Global Green provided the technical expertise and resources to help Community Housing Works build the first solar powered net zero affordable housing complex in California – the Solara.
