Renewable energy share of global electricity production in 2016 was 24.5% and PV share was 1.5 % (1.2% in 2015). The global capacity of PV has increased at a growth rate around 30% in the last decade and reached 303 GW at the end of 2016 (probably approaching 400 GW at the end of 2017). The cost of PV electricity has continuously come down to 2~3 US cents/kWh in MENA regions thanks to high solar irradiance.  

In the developed countries, high penetration of renewables into the grid requires new technologies to avoid grid instability by means of curtailment, energy storage, demand response and so on. Another issue is an integration of various renewable energy sources into the grid. In order to overcome these issues, new standards are needed.

Self-consumption including storage is a possible option to overcome the conflict between renewable energy sources and the utility grid. Building integrated (BI) PV system is attracting attentions as a new market in urban area. Although building attached systems including rooftop systems have long history, building integrated systems including rooftop and façade systems are new industries and the market is still small. Since BIPV systems are interdisciplinary area between electronic technology and construction technology, a gap between two different areas has been an obstacle for exploring the new market. IEC has recently launched a new project upon international standardization of BIPV to remove the obstacle.

PV is simply suitable in sunny areas. A huge potential of PV is expected in MENA regions. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) stated a target of 9.5 GW in the policy paper “Vision 2030”. Although PV market in the KSA will be opened soon, we need to consider technical requirements, i.e. technical standards specific to the KSA environment. Desert climates in the KSA could cause higher energy generation as well as higher stress to PV systems including PV modules and inverters due to high irradiance, higher UV intensity, higher temperature, wider thermal cycle, high humidity in coastal areas, sand deposition, sand abrasion and so on. International standards for PV components are designed for moderate climates and sometimes more stringent requirements are needed. PV standards adapted to the KSA environments should be considered for sustainable growth of the PV market and industry in the KSA.

In this presentation, outlook of potential PV market and its relevant challenge of standardization of renewable technology are discussed. Several example of recent activities upon international standards adapting various application and various environments are introduced.