Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) recently released the Results Book (PDF), a compilation of facts, ideas, perspectives and predictions from solar industry executives and senior decision-makers attending the Solar Leadership Forum. This first-of-its-kind event, hosted by BNEF earlier this year, gathered thought leaders from around the world to debate the industry’s future in the near term and beyond.
The Results Book includes AREVA Solar’s perspective on fulfilling the promise of concentrated solar power and details about the latest advances for the company’s proven Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) solar thermal technology.
AREVA Solar CEO Bill Gallo is quoted saying:
“Innovation and commercialization are tied together. The concentrated solar thermal industry must continue to innovate while we commercialize, deploy and scale our technologies. This will drive us to grid parity, which is more than just the price of electricity. Grid parity is about stability, reliability and the true costs of land, water and emissions. These are among the key factors that will determine our success as an industry and our ability to play a larger role in energy markets around the world.”
The participants made other important observations, as well. For example, although the solar industry still needs market support mechanisms to maintain growth, excessive financial incentives are not only unnecessary, but can also be problematic. What is most important is stability, like other energy sectors enjoy, not generosity.
In summary, executives at the Solar Leadership Forum concluded that above all else, innovation and dynamic business models are the keys to success for the solar industry.
