Publications

ETIP-PV supports “at least 5% innovative renewables” in Renewable Energy Directive revision.

Solar PV is widely considered as a key solution to Europe's fossil fuel dependence and related energy price volatility. This is reflected in REPowerEU and the European Solar Strategy by increasing solar deployment ambitions for the next years and launching a solar industrial strategy to bring back parts of the supply chain to Europe.

The European Technology and Innovation Platform on Photovoltaics ETIP PV welcomes the opportunity to 
contribute to the European Commission public consultation on the upcoming European Critical Raw materials 
act. The European Union needs to have a raw material strategy that is consistent with the imperatives of its 
energy and climate policies, notably with regards to energy independence and for the success of the European 
Green Deals in terms of jobs and social impacts. As the European platform assessing the research and innovation 
needs of the PV sector throughout its value chain and towards the market uptake of innovative technologies, 
the ETIP PV is well situated to provide a perspective on the European Critical Raw Materials Act in the 
perspective of the energy transition.

This report is the the result of a Joint Mission Group of Solar Industry Experts and Researchers, building on the findings of the European Commission Preparatory Study for Eco-Design, Energy Labelling, Green Public Procurement and Ecolabelling.  The findings of the Expert Input Paper aim to support the criteria development process within the framework of compulsory policy instruments further evaluated in the supporting study.

Reliable solar PV power plants will deliver the expected performance throughout their entire service life. They will experience very limited component degradation, failures or system down-time. Improving reliability means derisking electricity production and return on investment of PV systems. Mitigation of risks supports the bankability of PV systems and serves as an enabler for accelerated deployment of solar PV technologies. Ongoing basic research remains necessary for the photovoltaic industry to continue advancing its knowledge and improving lifetime system performance. This document addresses the foundations and reasons why reliability research is crucial to the solar PV industry’s continued growth.

Hydrogen is only a carrier for energy and not a primary source of energy and it can only ever be as clean as what is used to produce it. The current hydrogen supply chain relies for 95% on fossil fuels and is a vast emitter of CO2. Any support to hydrogen leading to an expansion of this current supply chain would therefore be counterproductive. On the other hand, synthetic fuels will be necessary after 2030 to reach net-zero emissions. Hydrogen production powered by PV and wind is the most likely route for the clean synthesis of such fuels.

The growing awareness of the global need for sustainable mobility empowers the application of new technological innovations to the road transport sector. Vehicle integrated photovoltaic technology (VIPV), however, is still considered a questionable issue in the automotive community. The ecological and economic value of VIPV is yet not evident. This paper aims to give an overview of the global VIPV market, in particular, the current status and future potential of PV-powered vehicles. Additionally, it studies possible added value for users, communities and stakeholders mostly focusing on batteryoperated electric vehicles (BEVs). Other VIPV applications for solar race vehicles, as well as ships, planes, trains and other small vehicles are outlined and evaluated as well. Concentrating on different Use Cases the paper estimates the economic and environmental viability of PV from technical viewpoints. In conclusion, this paper outlines strategies for integrated research and development and clarifies the main obstructions to VIPV introduction.

Solar photovoltaic (solar PV) electricity has recently become the lowest cost source of electricity in most parts of the world. Solar PV supports a socially just and acceptable energy transition and integrated applications, as well as new business opportunities. This report is focusing on one of these new business opportunities. It aims at describing the added value of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) for a successful energy transition in European cities, as well as the related opportunities for EU businesses. It describes the regulatory and market framework needed for sustainable business models for BIPV, that are adapted to city planning constraints and specificities.

This publication is a joint report of ETIP PV and SolarPower Europe.