**10. Sustainable development: Issues and prospects**

The current vitality of the photovoltaic sector is taking place in a context marked by the need to review energy policies given both the increasing spectre and the growing number of the obvious consequences of climate change. In fact, the current policies serve only to draw sombre and unfavourable prognoses, resulting in particular from a lack of balance between a high rate of energy consumption and a problematic supply of conventional fossil energies associated with highly volatile prices and market instability (Bradford, 2006; Labouret & Villoz, 2009).

The current concept of sustainable development is positioned as an enlightened response to major concerns, based on the fact that it reconciles, inasmuch as possible, three parameters which have been completely divergent to date: the economic efficiency, the social equity and the socio-economic development and, finally, the preservation of the ecosystems. The compromises sought through sustainable development require the implementation of several complex actions focussed on a fundamental objective: to ensure a balance between the energy offer and demand for current generations while respecting the resilience of the biosphere. It is, therefore, a response to real, current concerns that could compromise the wellbeing of future generations (International Union for Conservation of Nature, 2006).

Applied to the energy sector, such actions involve the implementation of strategies that are essentially corrective in nature and are part of a dynamic process based on the guiding principal of using renewable natural resources. Given this more functional vision and, based on the economic, health, safety and environmental profiles of PVs, as assessed and presented throughout the chapter, it is possible to provide an overall appreciation of the extent to which the photovoltaic industry respects different principles of sustainable development, inspired by those defined by the Ministry of the Environment of the Province of Québec, Canada (MDDEP, n.d.). This assessment is based on the current state of knowledge for an industrial sector extremely fertile in terms of technical and technological developments.

Table 4 aligns the PV industry with several principles of sustainable development. It can be considered as a barometer of human and equitable sustainable development. It also summarizes the extent to which different principles of sustainable development are respected. Although the results may be considered favourable, recommendations are issued in order to enhance the respect for the various principles.

Despite the universality of the sun as a resource and the fact that it is inexhaustible and safe, there are still many issues. Whether they are technical or technological, they will require a solid political focussing on subsidy systems and financial accessibility, strong programs to integrate photovoltaic systems in buildings, and administrative flexibility to ensure that the sector is dynamic (Bradford, 2006; EPIA/Greenpeace, 2011).

Moreover, a major issue concerns the social acceptability of PV systems, not only as a source of reliable energy but also as a system that can easily accompany daily life at a reasonable cost, while being integrated into local architecture without major visual impacts.

Photovoltaic Conversion: Outlook at the Crossroads

intelligent manner, the technical and technological limitations.

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greenhouse gas emissions, has neither the means nor the time to waffle.

**11. Conclusion** 

layer around the globe.

**12. References** 

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Despite the fact that photovoltaic conversion is still under developed, it is certainly a technology that will progress in a sustained manner since the prospects of this technology are favourable and appealing. Generating few or no greenhouse gases during the operating stage, producing no sound pollution, able to be integrated both aesthetically and functionally into the urban landscape, it should generate more interest and surpass, in an

It is crucial to back research and development on persistent considerations to potential health effects and environmental impacts. This is also a means for driving progress in a sector that has already reached the boiling point. Humankind, which absolutely must deal with the depletion of fossil resources and the increasingly obvious consequences of

The conciliation of the photovoltaic industry with the principles of sustainable development, its integration in the clean energy mix, based on social acceptability and international solidarity are obvious requirements. PV conversion should be able to develop an advantageous place both in the global energy landscape and in the urban landscape while being the preferred candidate for energy equity despite the unequal distribution of solar

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Table 4. Aligning the photovoltaic industry with the principles of sustainable development

The informed acceptance of the public, including the public authorities, would have a definitive impact on the decision-making powers (Hirschl, 2005). Information, awareness raising and education would serve to optimize the understanding, reception and adaption of PV systems.
