Photovoltaic technology and visions for the future

Due to rapidly reducing costs, photovoltaics has suddenly emerged as a previously underestimated new force in the race to control global warming. The technology now provides one of the lowest cost options for bulk electricity supply, as demonstrated by recently executed power purchase agreements for long-term electricity supply. However, the technology is still evolving with ongoing cost reductions likely to sustain the rapidly increasing uptake seen over the last 20 years. Present market conditions and the state of development of the technology are outlined, as are prospects for improvements and for significantly impacting carbon dioxide emissions.