Those interested in receiving solar PV training should consider receiving solar energy certification soon, as a new report predicts big changes in the renewable energy industry over the next five years. According to Pike Research, the use of renewable energy between this year and 2017 will grow by about 300 percent.
In particular, the report said the greatest increase in renewable energy use will come from solar power. During the next five years, the world will add a combined solar energy capacity of 210 gigawatts, Environmental Leader reported.
“The global electric power industry is evolving from a financial and engineering model that relies on large centralized power plants owned by the utilities to one that is more diverse – both in sources of generation and ownership of the generation assets,” Pike Research reported.
Helping to make solar PV systems an increasingly popular energy option is the falling costs of solar panels. Environmental Leader reported that the price of photovoltaic panels went from $4 per watt in 2006 to $1 per watt last year.
According to Pike, North America will be one of the biggest markets for renewable energy, along with European and Asian Pacific countries.
“Worldwide, utility companies and policy makers are testing programs and business models to support this industry,” according to Pike.
