The year 2003 has been an important landmark for the Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme IEA PVPS: It was the occasion to celebrate the 10th anniversary of this international cooperation programme. To mark this anniversary, an international conference was successfully held under the auspices of the IEA in May 2003, in Osaka, Japan. Together with other events – namely the 3rd World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion – held during the same period in Osaka, this formed the World PV Epoch, the largest series of public events ever held on the subject of photovoltaics. In spite of the difficult international situation in 2003, the IEA PVPS International Conference was attended by some 300 delegates from all over the world.

The conference concentrated on the needs for further and sustainable implementation of photovoltaics in different application areas, focusing on the visions and goals for photovoltaics, some of the strategies followed to achieve those, the institutional and policy framework in which this occurs and – most relevant for the PVPS Programme – the experience with and analysis of different approaches. By performing high level R&D cooperation activities, by aiming for efficient and objective analysis and information, and by providing recommended practice in various technical and non-technical areas, PVPS can play the important and independent role of a catalyst for future developments.

The conference allowed many of the key – mostly non-technical – issues for the deployment of photovoltaics to be addressed. Discussing the general framework in which the development of photovoltaics occurs allowed emphasizing the challenges which this technology faces in the near future to strengthen its position in the future energy mix and supply. The PVPS programme will capitalise on its experience and credibility in order to play a leading role in this important area.

I would like to thank all those involved in the preparation, organisation and execution of this important conference, namely our distinguished speakers, chairs and rapporteurs. Most of all, my thanks go to our hosts in Japan, both the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Japanese New Energy Development Organisation (NEDO) which have provided an excellent framework and an enormous effort to make this conference a success.

As the second important result of the PVPS programme for 2003, I would like to mention the birth of the new Task 10 on urban scale photovoltaic applications. Following the detailed preparatory work to which many countries contributed, the Executive Committee could establish this new project at its 22nd meeting in Berlin, Germany. I am grateful to the United States of America which have accepted to lead this new IEA PVPS activity.

Based on the input received from the international conference in Japan, discussions with numerous experts and stakeholders, the Executive Committee has adapted its strategy for the third 5-year term of cooperation within IEA PVPS. The most important elements of this new strategy can be found in this annual report.

With many new results from the various ongoing projects, 2003 was a very productive year for PVPS. The detailed results are given in the Task reports of this annual report and all publications can be found in the publications' section. I would like to congratulate all Tasks on their remarkable progress and achievements. The current status of photovoltaics in the PVPS member countries is described within the country section of this annual report.

Finally, I take this opportunity to thank all Executive Committee members, Operating Agents and Task Experts who by their dedicated efforts contribute to the collaborative work and success of PVPS.

Stefan Nowak
Chairman
[ Top ]