Program for Government Fails to Deliver for Ireland’s Fledgling Solar Industry

Dr. Mazhar Bari, chief executive of SolarPrint, has expressed disappointment at the lack of commitment in the program for government to develop Ireland’s solar industry.

Speaking at the Engineers Ireland seminar, “Ireland’s future energy projects,” Dr. Bari said, “The program for government references geothermal, wind and marine energy but fails to acknowledge the potential of solar energy to deliver investment and green jobs for Ireland. There is a ‘blind spot’ within government to the potential for Ireland to develop a vibrant solar industry which can compete on a global basis. The industry is in a fledgling state which deserves and needs government support to develop to its full potential.”

“Ireland, with a national Strategic Research Cluster (SRC) in Solar Energy Conversion run out of UCD, has already been focused on this technology for over three years and is as well placed as any nation to be one of the first countries to successfully commercialise the technology. By placing our stake in the ground today, we have an opportunity to be a truly global leader in this third generation solar technology, creating exports, jobs, tax revenue and a foundation for a sustainable industry for the next 30 years. Over 10 years, concrete figures show that the industry could create 10,000 jobs, €1 billion of exports and €140 million of annual tax revenue,” he said.

Dr. Bari said that a nascent third generation solar industry and eco-system has already developed alongside the SRC employing more than 20 people, including Ph.D. graduates from chemistry to physics as well as nano-materials. “My own company, SolarPrint currently employs 21 people and is growing. Our patented dye sensitized solar cell technology (DSSC) is generating worldwide interest for its potential use in energy harvesting systems. We think that we are the type of innovative company which represents Ireland’s future smart economy”.

“As a nation, we need to concentrate our resources on those industries that, over the next 20 to 30 years, will deliver long term sustainable returns. This requires long term vision as well as a certain element of educated risk taking. Third generation solar energy technology has the potential to be one of these industries and the potential reward is immense.

“In simple terms, the world – not just Ireland – is going to be forced to radically change the way in which energy is consumed. Supplies of fossil fuels are finite and there is no question that more sustainable forms of energy have to be found. Dedicating just 1.8% of the total land area of Ireland to solar technology could satisfy all the country’s energy needs.”

Dr. Bari also said that use of just six strategically-selected areas on the Earth’s surface could produce 18 terawatts, enough to meet the energy needs of the whole of the world’s current population.

“My hope is that the new minister for energy will recognize the potential of solar to deliver for Ireland and will work with the cluster of companies already here to examine how the full potential of the industry can be recognized.”