Today's Actions for Tomorrow s PV Technology

Photovoltaic solar energy (referred to as PV throughout this document) is a versatile, sustainable technology with a huge potential. PV systems can be connected to the grid in systems with peak outputs ranging from few hundred watts to tens of megawatts or more. They can also meet the needs of those who demand electricity, but who have no access to the grid, whether companies, communities or individuals. The pace at which scientific and technical understanding of PV has progressed over the past three decades is impressive and has resulted in dramatic cost reduction. Today, several kinds of PV technology are available commercially. Many more, at earlier stages of development, are to be found in the laboratory and in pilot production.