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Over 60% of U.S. solar technology
sales are exports.
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Two billion people, 70 percent
of the population in the developing world, still rely on kerosene, fuel
wood, and batteries for light and power.
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At least 35% of the world
population is without grid electricity and there are some 2 million villages
within 20 degrees latitude of the sunny equator without electricity.
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If photovoltaics (solar cells)
were used for just 10% of new electricity generation outside the U.S., industry
revenue would amount to approximately $13 billion per year.
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There will be over 900,000
megawatts in new energy needs in countries where solar could compete over
the next 15-20 years. Capturing just 2% of this market would create $20
billion in projects.
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There are more than 20,000
solar-powered water pumping systems in operation worldwide being utilized
for human consumption and agricultural uses.
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During the last five years,
more than 2000 conventional refrigerators using solar-generated electricity
(for purposes such as vaccine refrigeration) have been installed in rural
areas around the world. Results indicate that these units are operating
efficiently 95% of the time.
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In the past 20 years, the
US has spent about $1.4 billion on developing solar power and photovoltaics.
Aided by that investment, US companies now capture 44 percent of the estimated
$1.1 billion in annual sales of solar products worldwide.
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Although the U.S. is the current
world leader in solar technology exports, other countries are making efforts
to close the gap. Since 1992, the Japanese photovoltaic (solar cell) national
budget has increased at least 15% per year.7 Their photovoltaic budget was
over twice that of the U.S. in 1996.
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In the city of Tokyo, Japan
there are nearly 1.5 million buildings with solar water heating, more than
in the entire United States.
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The Global Environment Facility,
a joint funding program of the United Nations and The World Bank, has earmarked
$400 million in loans & grants for solar and renewable energy, which
will leverage $2 to $4 billion in projects over the next few years.
