Remote markets for photovoltaic technologies, 1974 to present and ten year forecast

Historically remote applications have provided a stable market for the more volatile and high growth grid-connected applications. Before the highly profitable feed-in-tariff incentive model stimulated demand for photovoltaic systems to gigawatt level, demand for remote systems held a majority share of the global market. Though demand continues into grid-connected applications, changes in incentive structures have rendered this application less profitable, and attention has again turned to developing strategies for the off-grid sector. The remote applications held the most significant market share for photovoltaic technologies through 1999. From 1986 through 1993, the off grid applications had a market share of >;90% without incentives, though, from a significantly smaller base the gigawatt levels of demand of the past few years. In these early days, consumer indoor (calculators, watches, et al) along with remote habitation and remote industrial applications provided a base for the industry to continue developing its technologies. Lacking in these unfortunately underfunded efforts were a) consistency of design b) ways to overcome the layers of government (including local) bureaucracy standing in the way of implementation c) business models that were affordable and allowed for reasonable margins d) education that would include future system maintenance and e) acceptance of local and village governments and system users. This paper will provide the history of off grid application growth along with system prices for remote applications and how module availability and pricing has affected the ability to appropriately serve this market. Business models for the developing world and strategies for expanding availability of PV for these populations will be discussed. The history of, and future prospects for sub-applications remote industrial, remote habitation, consumer power and consumer indoor will be assessed. The work for this article is based on primary research and classic market research principals and is the original product of the author.