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Last updated: 18 March 2001

A National Photovoltaic Working Group provides advice to the Danish Government and acts as a forum for PV professionals.

Denmark is well known internationally for its use of renewable energy, which provides almost 10% of national energy consumption. 3% of electricity is generated by wind turbines and this is expected to reach 10% in the near to medium term.

In 1992 the Danish Energy Agency initiated a national PV action plan with the ultimate aim of seeing a significant number of grid-connected PV systems installed in the country. The Danish approach to PV is effectively on three fronts: technology and information dissemination; quality assurance through better facilities and standards; real market initiatives.

The first phase of activity in the national plan has included the establishment of a national test centre, the PV Systems Laboratory (PVSysLab), a collaboration between the Danish Institute of Technology and the Risų National Laboratory. Demonstration projects, such as one 100 kWp urban renovation project, are focusing on grid-connected and building-integrated systems. In a move to investigate the potential for PV rooftops and to develop appropriate roles for utilities in this coming market sector, one Danish utility, VOH, has recently announced a pilot rooftop programme of about 50-60 kWp. Other grid-connected applications include NESA utility's 40 kWp motorway sound barrier project near to Copenhagen.

About 100 kWp, sometimes working under harsh circumstances, is now installed in Greenland in support of the telecom network.

These utilities are looking to the future, but there is already a very real market of PV, providing power to support the telecom network or to ensure reliable operation for numerous navigation buoys located in Danish waters. Other niche markets continue to emerge: stand-alone systems for small cottages, remote monitoring systems and urban information systems.

Denmark believes that international collaboration is vital for rapid progress and is active in the IEA  PVPS programme, including the PVPS Developing Country Team.

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