Denmark, PV technology status and prospects - Contribution to the Annual report 2000

Denmark
PV technology status and prospects
Flemming Kristensen, EnCon
Peter Ahm, PA-Energy A/S

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General Framework

Photo 1: House from the Sol-300 project with 3 kWp roof-integrated BP-Solarex thin-film laminates.

Renewable energy technologies have high priority in the national Danish energy plan, Energy 21. The goal is partly to reduce the emission of CO2 by 20% before year 2005 and partly to diversify the energy sector now being based on fossil fuels. At present about 10% of the gross national energy consumption originates from renewable energy sources. Energy 21 outlines scenarios, where i.a. photovoltaics (PV) may contribute to about 7-10% of the national electricity consumption of Denmark in year 2030. However no specific goals for PV deployment have yet been set, but this can be expected to change in the near future, as public perception of building integrated PVs constantly increases.
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National Programme

PVs have been included in the action plan of the Danish Energy Agency (DEA) since 1992 and have received increasing attention in the current Solar Energy Action Plan of 1998-2000. Since 1992 the Renewable Energy Development Programme of the EA has supported about 85 PV projects, and by the end of 1999 about 1 MWp have been or are being installed in the context of demonstrations plants. A 300 rooftop's project including 750 kWp was launched early 1998, and about half of the installations were completed by end of 1999.

A special support programme for PV applications in the commercial sector, funded by the CO2 tax on electricity, has been set up early 1998. The support includes a subsidy of up to 40% for the turnkey costs. The calculation of the actual subsidy will be in favour of high yield installations. This programme has so far not been very successful, as the commercial sector seems to regard an incentive of 40% as inadequate.

Net-metering for privately owned PV systems was established mid 1998 for a pilot-period of four years.

Late 1999 the parliament allocated 30 million DKK for a new three-year programme, 2000 - 2002, to promote building integrated PVs in apartment buildings and institutions. The programme includes both development of new integration methods, new components and demonstrations. A small PV cell R&D activity is included as well.
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Research and Development

R&D on PV cell manufacturing (mono-X Si) has taken place at the Technical University of Denmark for more than a decade. This R&D effort led to the establishment of the first Danish PV cell/module manufacturer in 1992. However, the company folded mid 1996 after a period in receivership, and is now reconstructed as a module assembling plant. Research into Si cell production with focus on surface layer structure and contacts has been stopped for the time being. However, as part of the new 3-years programme mentioned above R&D activities into PEC cells (Grätzel type cells) and maybe other cell types will be initiated.

Mid 1995 the Photovoltaic System Laboratory (PVSyslab) was established in collaboration between Risø National Laboratory and the Danish Institute of Technology. The main function of PVSyslab is to certify the quality of PV systems and to help industry develop better products, systems and recommended practices for design and installations. The PVSyslab has established R&D PV plants and has put examples of building integrated PV technology on display. The PVSyslab has established a national database for demonstration systems and operational data from these systems are published regularly. The PVSyslab, which is now integrated into the Solar Energy Centre Denmark, is active as group leader in the CENELEC & IEC TC 82 work and participates in the PV GAP initiative. The Solar Energy Centre Denmark has recently entered the field of technology cooperation with developing countries.

Inverter technologies are being R&D for both fuel cell and PV applications. Efficiencies of up to 98% have been reported using transformerless, high-integrated designs, and efforts to develop smaller units, about 2 kW, are ongoing.
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Implementation

Photo 2: Houses from the Sol-300 project. In front 2,4 kWp BP-Solarex laminates integrated in a pergola.

The potential for wide deployment of PVs in Denmark has been identified as building integrated systems.

Several grid-connected, building integrated PV systems were commissioned in 1999. One of the most high profile actions has been the Sol-300 project, including implementation of about 750 kWp on 300 single-family houses. (See photographs). The project intends both to demonstrate highly visible and architectural acceptable integration of PV technology on existing single family-houses and to reduce costs. A secondary objective has been to disseminate information and experience on PV rooftop deployment to eight distribution utilities. Several projects for building integrated PV systems including commercial buildings, apartment buildings and schools have been implemented, typically in the range of 2-10 kWp.
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Industry Status

PV cell production stopped in Denmark in 1996. A single Danish module manufacturer (Gaia Solar) with an annual capacity of about 1 MWp per shift has existed since 1996. In 1999 a couple of new companies have announced their presence as PV system houses.

Some medium to large scale industrial corporations long established in the building industry, such as Velux Industries and Dansk.

Eternit, continue their serious actions to integrate PVs in their main stream products. The products are currently under field tests in a few demonstration projects.

There is no PV relevant battery manufacturing in Denmark at present. A few companies develop and produce power electronics for PVs, mainly for stand-alone systems for the remote professional market sector.

An increasing number of companies are acting as PV system houses, designing and supplying PV systems to the already competitive international market sector of remote stand-alone applications. Consultant engineering companies specializing in PV application in developing countries report a growing business area.

Total PV business volume is estimated to be about USD 22 million in 1999 and appears to be growing.
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Market Development

Market development incentives already in place are mentioned above under National Program. A standard incentive for privately owned rooftops is not yet in place, but a subsidy for PVs on apartment houses is part of the new three-years programme.

The cumulative installed PV capacity in Denmark (including Greenland) is by end of 1999 estimated to about 1 MWp.
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Future Outlook

It is expected, that the ongoing Sol-300 project - targeting 300 rooftops and 750 kWp - will be followed by new utility driven initiatives to promote the deployment of rooftops. In this context it may be expected, that the so called PSO funds (Public Service Obligation) accumulated by the utilities via the electricity bills, in the future not only can be used in the context of PV R&D projects, but also to buy down the cost of standard installations such as PV rooftops.

The new three-years programme targeting building integrated PVs on apartment houses and institutions is expected to lead to the future availability of increasing Government funds for PVs. However, a constant development towards commercial sustainability for PVs is seen as critical for continued support from the Government and the utilities.
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