Solar Industry 'has potential to deliver 10,000 jobs'

A leading Solar Industry manager has claimed that up to 10,000 jobs could be created in the sector if the Government pledges to develop the industry.

Mazhar Bari, Chief Executive of SolarPrint said: "Over 10 years, concrete figures show that the industry could create 10,000 jobs, €1bn of exports and €140m of annual tax revenue."

Dr Bari has expressed concern at the lack of commitment in the Programme for Government to develop Ireland’s solar industry.

Speaking at the Engineers Ireland seminar, “Ireland's future energy projects” Dr Bari said: "The Programme 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.

Dr Bari said that a nascent third generation solar industry and eco-system has already developed alongside the SRC employing over 20 people, including PhD graduates from chemistry to physics as well as nano-materials.

He said: "My own company, SolarPrint currently employs 21 people and is growing. Our patented Dye Sensitised 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 recognise 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 recognised."