IEA PVPS Programme

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International Energy Agency

The International Energy Agency (IEA), founded in November 1974, is an autonomous body within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which carries out a comprehensive programme of energy co-operation among its member countries. The European Union also participates in the work of the IEA.

Collaboration in research, development and demonstration of new technologies has been an important part of the Agency’s Programme. The IEA R&D activities are headed by the Committee on Research and Technology (CERT), supported by a small secretariat staff, with headquarters in Paris. In addition, four Working Parties on End Use, Renewable Energy, Fossil Fuels and Fusion, are charged with monitoring the various collaborative energy agreements, identifying new areas for cooperation and advising the CERT on policy matters.

The Renewable Energy Working Party (REWP), recently chaired by the first PVPS chairman, Mr. Roberto Vigotti, oversees the work of eight renewable energy agreements, of which IEA PVPS is one of the youngest, and is supported by a Renewable Energy Unit at the IEA secretariat in Paris.
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IEA PVPS

The IEA Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) is one of the collaborative R&D Agreements established within the IEA, and since its establishment in 1993, the PVPS participants have been conducting a variety of joint projects in the application of photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into electricity.

The overall programme is headed by an Executive Committee composed of representatives from each participating country, while the management of individual research projects (Tasks) is the responsibility of Operating Agents. By the end of 2002, nine Tasks were established within the IEA PVPS programme, of which one was completed in 1997 (Task 6), two were completed in 2001 (Task 5 and Task 7) and one is not operational (Task 4). A new task is in preparation (Task 10), which will be a follow-up to Task 7.

The twenty-one PVPS members are: Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States. Turkey has shown an interest to revive its membership.

The mission of the IEA PVPS programme is: To enhance the international collaboration efforts through which photovoltaic solar energy becomes a significant renewable energy source in the near future.

The underlying assumption is that the market for PV systems is gradually expanding from the present niche markets of remote applications and consumer products, to the rapidly growing markets for building-integrated and other diffused and centralized PV generation systems.

The primary scope of the programme has been the information exchange about activities already in progress in the respective national programmes. However the real added value of the cooperation has been the informal coordination and initiation of new activities such as market surveys, the analysis of the operation and performance of a large number of PV systems already installed in the world, and the provision of the lessons learned, as well as the guidelines for appropriate design improvements.
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Executive Committee members at ExCo meeting in Sophia Antipolis, France, October 2002

IEA PVPS objectives

The IEA PVPS programme aims to realize the above mission by adopting the following objectives related to reliable PV power system applications for the target groups: utilities, energy service providers and other public and private users:

To contribute to the cost reduction of PV applications
National R, D&D programmes, utility investments in PV projects, industrial R&D and expansion of PV manufacturing capacity are examples of activities with a direct effect on the cost of PV systems and their application. International cooperation can indirectly contribute to cost reduction by undertaking or supporting activities such as: sharing objective information, creating networks and providing guidelines.
To increase the awareness of their potential and value
Key issues for the awareness of the potential and value of PV power systems among target groups are: cost/performance indicators, market developments, innovations and breakthroughs, new applications and services, national and international programmes and initiatives, financing schemes, developments and standards.
To foster their market deployment by removing technical and non-technical barriers
Critical technical and non-technical barriers for the large-scale deployment of PV power systems in various market segments have been identified, as described in Chapter 1. International co-operation adds value in the assessment of some of these barriers, such as: standardization in design, utility disinterest and concerns, networks of installers, technical risks etc.
To enhance technology cooperation with non-IEA countries
Stand-alone systems in remote areas of the world represent a fast growing market segment and their large-scale introduction is supported by bilateral and multilateral agencies and development banks. The large-scale introduction is hampered by various barriers such as acceptable accessible financing structures, institutional and social problems, infrastructure issues and sometimes technical problems. IEA PVPS expertise can be instrumental to help overcome some of these barriers.

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Table 1: Strategies and deliverables of the four IEA PVPS objectives

Objective Strategies Deliverables

1 – To contribute to the cost reduction of the PV power systems applications • To collect, analyze and disseminate information on the technical performance and cost structure of PV systems and their applications.
• To share the knowledge and experience gained in monitoring selected national and international PV projects.
• To provide guidelines for improvement of the design, construction and operation of photovoltaic power systems and subsystems.
• To contribute to the development of improved photovoltaic systems and subsystems. • Reliable information on the technical performance and cost structure of PV systems, in an accessible form.
• Recommended practices for improved design, construction and operation and maintenance of PV systems, in an accessible form.
• Technical guidelines for the interconnection to the grid of small dispersed systems as well as large and very large PV systems.
• Recommended practices for the main components of PV systems.

2 – To increase the awareness of the potential and value of PV power systems • To collect and analyze information on key awareness issues, such as markets, applications, barriers and success stories;
• To present/publish the reliable and relevant parts of this information in appropriate forms (brochures, reports, books, internet, etc.);
• To disseminate these information products, relevant for the deployment of PV systems, to target groups;
• To monitor the use of this information and the effects on the awareness among target groups;
• To bring actors of different groups together, and to encourage the creation of national and international networks. • The PVPS Newsletter informing the main target groups on the results of the collaborative work of the PVPS programme and on other important issues regarding the deployment of PV power systems programme.
• An overview of activities, available information and contact points of the IEA PVPS programme on the Internet.
• A Flyer describing the objectives and the structure of the programme and containing a list of the contact persons in each country.
• Executive Conferences
• International workshops on important specific (technical and non-technical) issues
• Input to national workshops by participation of IEA-PVPS experts.

3 – To foster their market deployment by removing technical and non-technical barriers • To involve and support utilities and other public and private users in the process of identification, selection and implementation of high priority activities aimed at removing the barriers concerned.
• To develop methods for the evaluation of the value and benefits of PV systems and to facilitate their introduction.
• To develop strategies for the deployment of PV in a competitive electricity market and to facilitate their introduction.
• To assess the evolution of the identified barriers for PV power-systems in the light of economics and competition in the electricity sector. • Recommended practices for grid-connected and stand-alone systems, especially for utilities regarding the implementation of these applications.
• Guidelines for monitoring practice and analysis of PV systems, to optimize equipment choices and improve the quality of monitoring.
• Overview of PV financing methods in OECD countries.
• Survey of taxation, customs duties and building regulations for PV components and systems in OECD countries.
• Planning methods to evaluate and maximize the benefits of grid-connected photovoltaic systems to the electric grid and to the customers.
• Specific studies on important issues.

4 – To enhance technology cooperation with non-IEA countries • To stimulate the awareness and interest of multilateral and bilateral agencies and development banks on the technical and economic potential and best practice of PV systems.
• To stimulate co-operation between IEA PVPS members and selected non-IEA countries.
• To increase awareness on the opportunities of PV systems amongst targeted groups in developing countries via workshops, missions and publications.
• To stimulate IEA PVPS membership of selected non-IEA countries.
• To promote adequate measures for quality assurance and standards. • Internal staff workshops for multilateral agencies and development banks.
• Workshops in non-IEA countries, coordinated with bilateral and/or multilateral agencies, development banks and/or NGO’s.
• Studies and publications on PV systems applications in developing countries.
• Contact point for ad-hoc advice to staff of multilateral agencies and development banks.
• Best practice deployment and implementation guide for successful PV system operation.
• Active IEA PVPS membership and/or participation of selected non-IEA countries.

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IEA PVPS Tasks

In order to obtain these objectives, specific research projects, so-called Tasks, are being executed. The management of these Tasks is the responsibility of the Operating Agents. Within the IEA PVPS the following Tasks have been established:

Task 1. Exchange and dissemination of information on PV power systems;
Task 2. Operational performance, maintenance and sizing of PV power systems and subsystems;
Task 3. Use of PV power systems in stand-alone and island applications;
Task 4. Modeling of distributed PV power generation for grid support (not operational);
Task 5. Grid interconnection of building integrated and other dispersed PV systems (concluded in 2001);
Task 6. Design and operation of modular PV plants for large scale power generation (concluded in 1997);
Task 7. PV power systems in the built environment (concluded in 2001);
Task 8. Very large scale PV power generation systems;
Task 9. Deployment of PV technologies: co-operation with developing countries;
Task 10. In preparation. Follow-up of Task 7.

The Operating Agent is the manager of his or her Task, and responsible for implementing, operating and managing the collaborative project. As such the Operating Agent compiles a status report, with results achieved in the last six months, as well as a work plan for the coming period. These are being discussed at the Executive Committee meeting, where all participating countries have a seat.

Based on the work plan, the Executive Committee decides whether activities in the coming period should continue, or intensify, or stop. In case the Executive Committee decides to continue the activities within the Task, the participating countries in this Task commit their respective countries to an active involvement by national experts. In this way, a close cooperation can be achieved, whereas duplication of work is avoided.
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Objective	Strategies	Deliverables
1 – To contribute to the cost reduction of the PV power systems applications	• To collect, analyze and disseminate information on the technical performance and cost structure of PV systems and their applications. • To share the knowledge and experience gained in monitoring selected national and international PV projects. • To provide guidelines for improvement of the design, construction and operation of photovoltaic power systems and subsystems. • To contribute to the development of improved photovoltaic systems and subsystems.	• Reliable information on the technical performance and cost structure of PV systems, in an accessible form. • Recommended practices for improved design, construction and operation and maintenance of PV systems, in an accessible form. • Technical guidelines for the interconnection to the grid of small dispersed systems as well as large and very large PV systems. • Recommended practices for the main components of PV systems.
2 – To increase the awareness of the potential and value of PV power systems	• To collect and analyze information on key awareness issues, such as markets, applications, barriers and success stories; • To present/publish the reliable and relevant parts of this information in appropriate forms (brochures, reports, books, internet, etc.); • To disseminate these information products, relevant for the deployment of PV systems, to target groups; • To monitor the use of this information and the effects on the awareness among target groups; • To bring actors of different groups together, and to encourage the creation of national and international networks.	• The PVPS Newsletter informing the main target groups on the results of the collaborative work of the PVPS programme and on other important issues regarding the deployment of PV power systems programme. • An overview of activities, available information and contact points of the IEA PVPS programme on the Internet. • A Flyer describing the objectives and the structure of the programme and containing a list of the contact persons in each country. • Executive Conferences • International workshops on important specific (technical and non-technical) issues • Input to national workshops by participation of IEA-PVPS experts.
3 – To foster their market deployment by removing technical and non-technical barriers	• To involve and support utilities and other public and private users in the process of identification, selection and implementation of high priority activities aimed at removing the barriers concerned. • To develop methods for the evaluation of the value and benefits of PV systems and to facilitate their introduction. • To develop strategies for the deployment of PV in a competitive electricity market and to facilitate their introduction. • To assess the evolution of the identified barriers for PV power-systems in the light of economics and competition in the electricity sector.	• Recommended practices for grid-connected and stand-alone systems, especially for utilities regarding the implementation of these applications. • Guidelines for monitoring practice and analysis of PV systems, to optimize equipment choices and improve the quality of monitoring. • Overview of PV financing methods in OECD countries. • Survey of taxation, customs duties and building regulations for PV components and systems in OECD countries. • Planning methods to evaluate and maximize the benefits of grid-connected photovoltaic systems to the electric grid and to the customers. • Specific studies on important issues.
4 – To enhance technology cooperation with non-IEA countries	• To stimulate the awareness and interest of multilateral and bilateral agencies and development banks on the technical and economic potential and best practice of PV systems. • To stimulate co-operation between IEA PVPS members and selected non-IEA countries. • To increase awareness on the opportunities of PV systems amongst targeted groups in developing countries via workshops, missions and publications. • To stimulate IEA PVPS membership of selected non-IEA countries. • To promote adequate measures for quality assurance and standards.	• Internal staff workshops for multilateral agencies and development banks. • Workshops in non-IEA countries, coordinated with bilateral and/or multilateral agencies, development banks and/or NGO’s. • Studies and publications on PV systems applications in developing countries. • Contact point for ad-hoc advice to staff of multilateral agencies and development banks. • Best practice deployment and implementation guide for successful PV system operation. • Active IEA PVPS membership and/or participation of selected non-IEA countries.