Overview on the solar photovoltaic power generation growth and forecasts updating

As well known, 2020 is an important reference for the EU energy policy because of the targets set by the European Council agreement on the climate and energy package of December 2008 (the so-called “20-20-20”). In particular, by 2020 the EU is committed to increase to 20% of the total electricity production the share of renewable energy sources. In 2010 the EV published the paper “Present and future limits for the PV generation growth”, updated at the end of 2009, that aimed at pointing out the main factors that will limit solar photovoltaic (PV) penetration by 2020. Since then PV has, among all energy sources, the fastest growth, and has grown much faster than many had expected. This paper reports on the actual PV market and compares the forecasts on the PV growth and competitiveness made by 2009 with the most recent and accredited ones. Also, the paper reports and discusses the main effects that the current large PV penetration already has on the Italian electric power system.