EU PVSEC 2021: European Commission ready to speed up, scale-up and invest in solar PV
- The 38th European PV Solar Energy Conference (EU PVSEC 2021), which took place online from the 6th to the 10th of September, discussed future challenges for the sector.
- Session recordings of the EU PVSEC 2021 are available for three months.
- Ulrike Jahn awarded the Becquerel Prize of the European Commission.
- The 8th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC 2022) to take place in Milan, Italy.
European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, in her keynote speech at the opening of the 38th European PV Solar Energy Conference (EU PVSEC 2021) emphasised that the Commission is “ready to speed up, scale-up and invest in solar PV”.
On the road to net-zero 2050, the PV industry will play a key role in driving to fulfil the ambitious climate targets of the Commission. Simson underlined that the EU is working on creating the right political framework conditions as well as on investment perspectives.
Looking back at what has already been achieved in the PV sector in the past, it was a pleasure to see Ulrike Jahn, R&D Manager at VDE Renewables, being awarded with the prestigious Becquerel Prize for her outstanding and continuous contribution to the PV community, dedicating her life’s work to improving the quality and reliability of PV Systems.
Newly introduced this year were a series of topical panel discussions, in which int ernational experts discussed their views on future developments. These included the ultimate possibilities for crystalline silicon, the currently dominating technology, and concluded that there are still efficiency improvements to come, and it will remain the dominant technology for some years.
Tandem devices were also discussed and there is a strong belief that they will come to dominate but towards the end of this decade. The first generation is likely to be composed of perovskite on a silicon substrate, thereby allowing a more straightforward transition. Other discussions looked at digitalization, sustainability and steps that need to be taken now to accelerate the energy transition to 100% renewable, including the role of storage and green hydrogen.
The EU PVSEC 2021, which was chaired by Prof. João Serra, from the University of Lisbon, has once again offered a broad range of topics, from basic device concepts, through manufacturing, existing and new applications (bifacial modules, BIPV, VIPV, AgriPV), integration, finance, policy and social awareness, providing insights into deep scientific research findings, updates on market strategies, stimulating and inspiring discussions, and an ambitious plea to the PV community, that all aspects – the physical, technical, economic and social dimensions need to be considered and integrated to achieve a global PV energy revolution. Following the successful online format from 2020, the virtual conference this year welcomed over 1300 participants from all over the world, who were not only able to connect, but to interact, discuss and network via the optimised event platform.
The entire content of the EU PVSEC 2021, including scientific Conference Sessions, Parallel Events, Panel Discussions, and Industry Presentations will be available for streaming on the event platform for 3 months after the event. In addition to the recordings, the EU PVSEC offers a variety of sessions to watch for free on the EU PVSEC Youtube Channel.
In 2022, the 8th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC 2022) will be hosted from the 26th to the 30th of September 2022 in the beautiful city of Milan, Italy. The WCPEC, which has been held every four years for more than a quarter of a century, is combining the world’s three largest conferences on photovoltaic research, the EU PVSEC, the IEEE PVSC, and the PVSEC.
Since it is planned to be the first physical event after two years of virtual conferences, it is particularly pleasing to see a local figure appointed as General Chair of the world conference. Dr Alessandra Scognamiglio, a senior researcher with many years of experience in the use of photovoltaics and buildings, and coordinator of the task force “Sustainable Agrivoltaics” at ENEA will hold this position and lead the conference in the Italian metropolis.
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About EU PVSEC
The EU PVSEC is the world’s leading forum for PV Research and Development and the biggest Conference on PV Solar Energy. With a history of over 40 years, EU PVSEC is the longest-running, renowned PV conference in the world.
The scientific programme is coordinated by the European Commission Joint Research Centre.
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