Solar Photovoltaic Presentation to the 2008 Electrical Industry Leaders Forum Victor De Sousa – BP Solar 26 August 2008

2 How does solar PV work? Solar photovoltaic cells are solid-state semiconductors Light hits the cell, freeing electrons in the silicon which, with enough energy, move through the silicon and into an external circuit.

3 The lifecycle of a solar panel Raw silicon Silicon wafer is converted into a solar cell Multiple cells are use to form solar modules Multiple modules installed to form an array Silicon is cast into ingots and sliced into wafers

4 How are solar panels installed? Retrofitted to existing roofs

5 How are solar panels installed? On an array structure, usually ground-mounted

6 How are solar panels installed? Integrated into the fabric of a building:

7 How is solar energy used and stored? Grid-connected solar Stand-alone solar

8 Global growth of solar market recently Source: Navigant Consulting, 2008.

9 Projected growth of the global solar market Source: Navigant Consulting, 2008.

10 Projected growth of the global solar market Source: Navigant Consulting, 2008.

11 Solar resource is plentiful in Australia Hot spot: the colour-coded world map, with Australia bottom right, produced by NASA to show where solar energy has the maximum effect

12 Growth of the Australian market Source: APVA 2008

13 The Australian political climate is warming to solar Extension of the Remote Renewable Power Generation Programme rebate (RRPGP) Solar Homes and Communities Programme (SHCP) The Federal Government’s Solar Schools Solar Cities trials Continuation of Renewable Energy Certificates under MRET Green loans (2009) Introduction of feed-in tariffs

14 Rise in rebate applications after rebate rise in July 2007 Rebate doubled to $8k in July 07 Source: Australian Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts,2008

15 Feed-in tariff: mechanics

16 Current feed-in tariffs in Australia Update with WA

17 BSCE Accreditation The aims of the BCSE Industry Accreditation scheme are: 1. Gives customers increased confidence in the design and installation work. 2. to improve the safety, performance and reliability of renewable energy systems installed. 3. to encourage industry best practice 4. to provide a network of competent systems designers and installers. Pre-requisites for accreditation include: −Satisfactory completion of a industry training course Find out more at

18 Industry vision for a solar powered nation A nationally consistent gross feed-in tariff (paid on all generation, not just excess) would propel the Australian solar industry sustainably and produce the following results: −3GW of new peak energy generation capacity −Saving of 4 million tonnes of GHG pa −Spark major private investment in energy infrastructure −Create a green collar workforce of more than 9,000 jobs −Build an industry at scale to drive down cost for the long term

19 Thank You