European Photovoltaic RTD and Demonstration Programme

The paper describes PV-R&TD funded at EU level. One pillar of the EU strategy to meet Kyoto targets is achieving 12% share of renewables in gross energy consumption; as to the EC's White Paper EU PV implementation should raise to 3GWp by 2010. Moreover, renewables are options to mitigate the trend towards increasing energy import dependence and future GHG emissions well beyond 2010. Future PV development is supported through EU FPs for R&D. Research focuses on next generation PV technologies, thin film, processing and automated manufacturing, cost reductions for components and systems as well as research for innovative BIPV applications and their long-term management. The aim of demonstration activities is to accelerate market penetration of more cost-effective PV technologies, making the European industry a stronger competitor. The European Commission thus combines legislative initiatives with strong R&D efforts. The paper discusses how the projects launched within the Framework Programmes help achieving the policy objective; it also explores how they are contributing to the identification and removal of barriers, and investigate its effect on the PV electricity cost reduction objective.JRC.H.8-Renewable energie