IEA has bright outlook for solar energy
The IEA's Nobuo Tanaka said solar power has the potential to significantly reduce energy-related greenhouse gas emissions in the coming decades.
"The combination of solar photovoltaics and concentrating solar power offers considerable prospects for enhancing energy security while reducing energy-related carbon dioxide emissions by almost 6 billion tons per year by 2050," he added.
He spoke during a Mediterranean Solar Plan Conference hosted in Valencia by the Spanish presidency of the European Union.
Tanaka said effective policy and partnerships in the solar energy sector could lead to solar power supplying as much as 25 percent of global electricity production by 2050.
The executive director added that the combination of photovoltaic units on residential and commercial building could bring solar power to parity with conventional electricity within 10 years.
"This decade is crucial for effective policies to enable the development of solar electricity," he said.
Related News

Electricity blackouts spark protests in Iranian cities
TEHRAN - There have been protests in a number of cities in Iran amid rising public anger over widespread electricity blackouts.
Videos on social media appeared to show crowds in Shar-e Rey near Tehran, Shiraz, Amol and elsewhere overnight.
Some people can be heard shouting "Death to the dictator" and "Death to Khamenei" - a reference to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The government has apologised for the blackouts, which it has blamed on a severe drought and high demand.
President Hassan Rouhani explained in televised remarks on Tuesday morning that the drought meant most of the country's hydroelectric power plants were not operating,…