Photovoltaics is the field of technology in which solar cells are used to convert the energy of sunlight into electricity.

As the world searches for viable ways of combating climate change and turns increasingly to renewable energies, the field is booming.

Experts predict that, annually and worldwide, there will be 20 to 50 percent growth over the coming years. By the end of 2015, solar cells will be producing 60,000 megawatts of energy worldwide.

The market for photovoltaics is growing in Asia

Asia has embraced photovoltaics enthusiastically and cell production is growing on the continent especially in China, Japan, Korea, Thailand and India.

China has the biggest share of the market and the development of renewable energies comprises a significant part of its energy policy, especially solar energy.

However, experts point out that production costs are still too high and despite grand plans to set up complete production chains of photovoltaics there is little chance of this being done on a large scale until governments invest more money into research and development.

Public Private Enterprises are the order of the day

Jens Vorbrodt – the general manager of Siemens Solar Power – comes straight to the point: "As the old saying goes, someone must take the first step, then the market will set in motion.“

He and his rivals from other solar companies are leading efforts to commercialise photovoltaic systems. They are in Berlin to plug their expertise and products to government representatives. Public Private Partnerships are the order of the day.

They are also important for creating necessary infrastructures such as power grids.

Whereas the future of photovoltaics in China and Thailand looks comparatively bright, other Asian countries such as Vietnam are still struggling to attract foreign investment to develop structures for producing sustainable, alternative and clean energy.

Author: Verena Degens
Editor: Thomas Baerthlein