Page 342 - ISES SWC50

12. THE FUTURE

12.1 Introduction

A global renewable energy revolution is underway. This revolution is intimately connected with significant
societal transformations that are also occurring.While this chapter focuses on the details around the renewable
energy revolution, we first want to highlight the importance of the connection between renewable energy and
society here.
12.1.1 Renewable Energy and Society

Fossil fuels have powered the creation of tremendous global wealth over the past two centuries. However, this
wealth creation has been accompanied by growing income disparities, energy injustice, and environmental
threats. Societies around the world are stepping up to fight these inequalities, environmental crises, and
government inaction. Major changes in our energy system are a key response in this fight. As affirmed at
the ISES Solar World Congress 2019, these changes are not only possible – they are underway around the
world.A distributed renewables-based energy system offers much greater energy access and provides many
more people with a much greater say in how their energy is produced and used, leading to energy justice
along with environmental recovery and improvement.In order to rapidly achieve the goal of 100% renewable
energy in all end-use sectors electricity, transportation, heating and cooling in all cities, regions and nations
throughout the world, effective pathways regarding technologies, markets, policies, community actions and
public support must be identified and followed.

12.1.2 Overview of this Chapter

The growth of renewables is due to the confluence of three key interacting factors:1) quality and reliability
improvements, combined with a continuous drop in capital costs, of renewable technologies and associated
balance of systems, which leads to 2) more bankable projects and access to private capital, which further leads
to 3) more and more favorable renewable energy policies and targets throughout the world. On top of this,
public acceptance of these technologies and a desire for a carbon-free future is further driving the revolution.

During the past 50 years ISES has played a leading role in the growth of renewables. ISES members have
worked to advance the cost-effectiveness, reliability, and efficiency of solar energy technologies and related
renewable energy and building efficiency programs from laboratory research to commercial success. In
the case of PV technologies, for example, ISES research and organizational members have advanced cell
technology and manufacturing processes, module efficiencies, and balance of system components such
as inverters and mounting systems to support the dramatic commercialization of off-grid and grid-tied PV
systems. Research in electrical and thermal energy storage, so critical towards achieving a 100% renewable
energy target, is being undertaken. Our members are conducting key research and undertaking projects in
new net-zero energy building design and in older building renovation to achieve high efficiency standards.
The ISES community is also engaged in system analysis and integration studies, policy innovations, effective
financing schemes, and garnering public support and acceptance of the technological changes taking place
in this energy revolution.

This booklet has highlighted many key events that have contributed to this success story throughout the
history of ISES. In this chapter, we take a look at the Future of Renewables that can be anticipated over the
next 50 years, building on the success stories of the past half century, and the key roles that ISES will be
playing in furthering the global energy transformation to achieve 100% renewables.

324 | ISES SWC50 - The Century of Solar-Stories and Visions