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Science 15 May 2009:
Vol. 324. no. 5929, pp. 891 - 892
DOI: 10.1126/science.1169616
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Perspectives

Applied Physics:

Photovoltaics Power Up

Richard M. Swanson

The global photovoltaic (PV) power industry is experiencing dramatic technology advances and market growth. Over the past 20 years, manufacturing output has grown by a factor of 200, reaching 5 gigawatts (GW) in 2008. The total accumulated installed capacity is now around 15 GW. This is quite small relative to the world's 4000 GW of installed electric generation capacity—just 0.375% to be precise. However, industry leaders expect similar rapid growth over the coming years, with PV generation a major contributor to power generation 20 years hence (1).

SunPower Corporation, 3939 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95134, USA.

E-mail: richard.swanson{at}sunpowercorp.com

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)