An overview of solar photovoltaic energy in Mexico and Germany

• Published in: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews Vol. 31; pp. 639 - 649
• Main Authors: Mundo-Hernández, Julia, de Celis Alonso, Benito, Hernández-Álvarez, Julia, de Celis-Carrillo, Benito
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Building integrated photovoltaic products; Clean energy; Economics; Energy; Energy policy; Equipments, installations and applications; Exact sciences and technology; Fossil fuels; Natural energy; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic conversion; Photovoltaic energy policies; Renewable energy; Solar cells; Solar energy; Sustainability; Central America; Mexico; Europe; Germany; America; Renewable energy; Photovoltaic energy policies; Building integrated photovoltaic products; Buildings; Solar energy; Photovoltaic system; Energy policy; Electric power production; Photovoltaic cell
• ISSN: 1364-0321; 1879-0690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2013.12.029

Energy is essential for our preservation and the improvement of our life-style. Today all major production of energy is generated from fossil fuels, which are non-renewable and significantly pollute the environment. Access to clean and reliable energy is crucial for assuring the development of countries such as Mexico. Mexico's economy is based on producing energy from fossil fuels1191% of Mexico's energy is produced from non-renewable energy sources. Moreover, 36% of primarily renewable energy corresponds to the use of firewood for cooking used in a non-healthy and non-sustainable way [42]. GTZ is the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH (German Technical Cooperation, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development). and the change to sustainable ways of life is still uncertain. It becomes essential to look at developed countries where the transition to sustainability has been rapidly increasing. This paper gives an overview of energy policies and the potential of solar photovoltaic energy in two countries: Germany, a world leader in the generation and development of photovoltaic technology; and Mexico, a country with great solar photovoltaic potential. It also describes the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of photovoltaic technology, including BIPV systems.