I am pleased to present the annual report of the IEA Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme covering the year 2005. With new activities within the programme and stronger outreach beyond the programme, this year has closely followed our strategic plan. Both on the Executive Committee level as well as on the Task level, the network was systematically extended towards new target groups, new members as well as new work items and accompanied by increased communication efforts.

During 2005, the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) has formally joined the PVPS Programme as a sponsor member. We would welcome industry associations from other regions in order to intensify our relationships and cooperation. Contacts for potential country participation in IEA PVPS have taken place with China and Hong Kong, Malaysia, Turkey, Greece and Poland. On the other hand, Finland has terminated its membership in the PVPS Programme during 2005.

On the Task level, increased cooperation and communication can be summarized as follows:

• Led by Australia, Task 1 on Exchange and Dissemination of Information on Photovoltaic Power Systems, held a workshop on environmental issues of PV power systems at the 20th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference in Barcelona as well as a regional workshop at the 15th International Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference in Shanghai;
• Led by Germany, Task 2 on Performance, Reliability and Analysis of Photovoltaic Power Systems now has participation from 10 member countries and 1 observer. New work was started on economic analysis of PV power systems. In September 2005, an industry workshop was held in Germany;
• Led by Japan, Task 8 on Study on Very Large Scale Photovoltaic Power Generation System, has extended its activities into a third phase;
• Led by the United Kingdom, Task 9 on Photovoltaic Services for Developing Countries, has organized or participated in 6 events in 2005;
• Led by the United States, Task 10 on Urban Scale PV Applications, held a workshop in France.

As a follow-up of Task 3 on Use of Photovoltaic Power Systems in Stand-Alone and Island Applications, a new Task 11 on PV Hybrid Systems within Mini-Grids, was established during 2005. I am grateful to Canada which has taken the lead for this new activity which will start in 2006. Another important topic on the agenda for new activities is the subject of environmental issues related to photovoltaics. Due to the rapid global market expansion, it is felt that continuous analysis and communication on facts and figures is needed for this important subject. This could form the basis of a new Task or, alternatively, take place within one of the existing Tasks.

The overall communication efforts were continued through systematic distribution of PVPS products (flyer, newsletter, annual report and topical reports) at conferences, workshops and by means of direct mailings. Communication was supported by this IEA PVPS website. Moreover, a booth at the industry exhibition of the 20th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference in Barcelona attracted a large number of visitors and interesting feedback on the programme activities.

With many new results from the various ongoing projects, 2005 was another productive year for PVPS. The detailed results are given in the Task reports of this annual report and all publications can be found at the publications' section of this IEA PVPS website. I would like to congratulate all Tasks on their progress and achievements. The current status of photovoltaics in the PVPS member countries is described within the country section of this annual report.

A number of Executive Committee members have left us during the year, heading for new responsibilities or horizons. I would like to thank them for their strong support and valuable contributions. With this, I take the opportunity to thank all Executive Committee members, Operating Agents and Task Experts who by their dedicated effort contribute to the collaborative work and success of PVPS.

Stefan Nowak Chairman

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