Global Solar Council launched at COP 21
"Today the solar power sector has united to fight climate change," says Bruce Douglas, Chairman of the GSC. "There is consensus that solar power will become the principal source of electricity generation. It has a hugely important role to play in the international efforts to ultimately eliminate carbon emissions from the power sector."
The GSC strives to convey 3 Key Messages about solar power:
"¢ Solar power is already one of the cheapest forms of electricity globally and prices continue to decline fast. The levelised cost of solar electricity is 80% lower than it was during COP-15 in 2009. Solar provides a cost-effective means of fighting climate change today.
"¢ Solar power is the most versatile form of electricity generation and can be deployed anywhere in the world for the people of developing and developed countries alike. Solar also has the highest share of popular support of any electricity technology.
"¢ To avoid a greater than 2 ºC increase in global temperatures, it is imperative to strongly accelerate the deployment of solar power. A 10% share of global power generation by 2030, from less than 1% today, is possible given the right market conditions.
"Our goal is to encourage the wide-scale adoption of solar energy through cooperation, education, and training," said John Smirnow, Secretary-General of the GSC.
The principal members of the organization are national and regional solar associations from both established and emerging markets, including the world largest markets of China, Europe, India, Middle East, Australia, South America and the United States. "The GSC will provide a coordinated, international voice on behalf of these organizations," said Smirnow.
Eric Ast of SOLARUNITED stated that "Joining forces under the GSC, will help our Industry to spread the message that from a technology point of view and more generally cost competitiveness perspective, Solar Generation has to be included in plans to fight against climate changes. Giving future generation the best possible world is a necessity."
The intention is to establish the Secretariat and legal entity in the United States and Headquarters in China. Membership is open to any association active in solar power.
The Board members of the Global Solar Council are as follows:
Chairman:
"¢ SolarPower Europe, Bruce Douglas
Co-Chairmen:
"¢ Asian PV Industry Association (APVIA), Gongshan Zhu
"¢ China PV Industry Association (CPIA), Jifan Gao
"¢ Italian Solar Industry Association (Italia Solare), Gianni Chianetta
"¢ National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI), Pranav R. Mehta
"¢ Spanish PV Industry Association (UNEF), José Donoso
Secretary:
"¢ Green Energy Association of Israel, Eitan Parnass
Treasurer:
"¢ SOLARUNITED, Bryan Ekus
Secretary-General:
"¢ John Smirnow
Other Board members:
"¢ Argentinian Renewable Energy Association, Marcelo Alvarez
"¢ Australian Solar Council, Steve Blume
"¢ Brazilian Photovoltaic Solar Energy Association (ABSOLAR), Dr. Rodrigo Lopes Sauaia
"¢ French Renewable Energy Association (SER), Cyril Carabot
"¢ German Solar Association (BSW), Jörg Mayer
"¢ International Solar Energy Society, David Renne
"¢ Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA), Imtiaz Mahtab
"¢ Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA), Rhone Resch
"¢ Taiwan PV Industry Association (Chinese Taipei), Dr. Peng Heng Chang
Founding supporting members of the Global Solar Council so far include:
"¢ Bulgarian Photovoltaic Association, Meglena Russenova
"¢ GUNDER (ISES - Turkey), Faruk Telemcioglu
"¢ Polish Society for Photovoltaics, Stanislaw M. Pietruszko
"¢ Solar Energy Development Association (SEDA - Egypt), Khaled Gasser
"¢ Solar GCC Alliance & Saudi Arabia Solar Industry Association, Browning Rockwell
"¢ Svensk Solenergi, Jan-Olof Dalenbäck
"¢ Swisssolar, David Stickelburger
Foundation of the Global Solar Council (GSC) during the Conference of Parties 2015 (COP 21) in Paris
