Press Release: Sun and Earth as energy sources: European research on photovoltaics and biomass

A press briefing was organised by the European Commission in Uppsala (Sweden) on 16 November 2004 to provide insights into research breakthroughs in photovoltaic and bio-energy technologies. Rising oil prices, environmental challenges and legislative changes have created an urgent need to develop renewable energy alternatives to fossil fuels. Biomass from wood, agricultural residues and organic waste are the only renewable energy sources able to provide liquid fuels for transport on a large scale. Photovoltaic solar energy panels can be integrated into roofs and buildings to cover, in the long term, as much as 10%-60% of electricity demand in countries like Germany, Spain, Italy, UK, The Netherlands or Sweden.