Solar Energy: Why Are We Stuck In Analysis Paralysis?

Solar Photovoltaics (PV) is the fastest growing deployed renewable energy technology across the world in the last decade.

Technology advances make it suitable for Northern European countries as direct sunlight is not necessary. The cost of the actual infrastructure has fallen dramatically in recent years. Between 2008 and 2013 it fell by 80% as a result of economies of scale and advances in technology, techniques and experience in installation.

Despite this, Ireland does not currently have any support mechanism in place for Solar PV as it has for wind-farms for over a decade.

This is a globally accepted requirement to enable solar energy, or any form of renewable energy technology, to gain traction and scale and be in a position to compete with other renewable technologies and with conventional energy sources.