News Article
Europe launches PV committee
Europe’s recently created "Photovoltaics Technology Research Advisory Council" aims to challenge Japanese dominance in the market. The initiative of the European Commission (EC) involves 18 members representing all the major players in this technology. The committee first met on December 4, 2003.
Europe’s recently created "Photovoltaics Technology Research Advisory Council" aims to challenge Japanese dominance in the market. The initiative of the European Commission (EC) involves 18 members representing all the major players in this technology. The committee first met on December 4, 2003.
Europe at 24% has similar photovoltaic (PV) production levels to the USA’s 22%, according to data published in PV News (March 2003). Both are far behind Japan’s 44%. Europe has seen an average growth rate of 30% per year over the last decade. The European Commission has given EUR200mn for 200 research, development and demonstration projects in this area over the last ten years.
To find the best way forward, the advisory council’s objective is to develop a Foresight Report and a Strategic Research Agenda. An EC white paper on the promotion of renewable energies has set out the aim of increasing the installed PV generating capacity in the European Union to 3GW by 2010.
