A Strategic Research Agenda for Photovoltaic Solar Energy Technology - Research and development in support of realizing the Vision for Photovoltaic Technology

Direct conversion of sunlight intoelectricity is a very elegant process to generate renewable (and sustainable) energy. This process, usually referred to as photovoltaic solarenergy (PV), is inherently modular and quiet, and has a huge potential. Therefore, I thas a broad range of applications and can contribute substantially to our future energy needs. Although reliable PV systems are commercially available and widely applied, ambitious further development of PV technology is crucial to enable PV to become a major source of sustainable energy and to strengthen the position of the European PV industry sector. In summary, PV solar energy is a technology with many application possibilities, ranging from very small stand alone systems for rural use, via building integrated grid connected systems, to large power plants. PV can make a large contribution to the global energy system in the longer term, and thus forms an indispensable building block for a sustainable energy future. Economic opportunities related to the rapid growth of the PV sector occur now and have to be seized on the short term, since the global PV sector is highly competitive and innovates rapidly. The coming years are expected to be decisive for the future role of the European PV industry. This SRA identifies the R&D areas and topics that have to be addressed for Europe to be able seize these economic opportunities and to allow PV to become a major supplier of sustainable energy as soon as possible. .JRC.H.8-Renewable energie