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IEA Photovoltaic Power Systems (PVPS)

Enhance the international collaborative efforts which facilitate the role of photovoltaic solar energy as a cornerstone in the transition to sustainable energy systems. The IEA PVPS programme aims to realise its mission through objectives related to reliable PV power system applications, contributing to sustainability in the energy system and a growing contribution to CO2 mitigation.

Short Description

The "Photovoltaic Power Systems Program" is the world's largest research platform in the field of photovoltaics. Coordinated within the framework of the International Energy Agency (IEA) as one of the "Technology Collaboration Programs" in the area of the "Renewable Energy Working Party", it has offered a global platform for applied research activities and market launch strategies in the field of photovoltaics since 1993. Currently, 8 research activities "Tasks" are being carried out, 9 others have already been completed. 6 of the 8 ongoing tasks are assigned to Austrian expert representatives. One task is led by Austria (Task 14). the Austrian Representative in the Executive Committee is also responsible as "Vice Chair Strategy" for the coordination of the overall strategy of the IEA PVPS Program.

This international cooperation is particularly important in the photovoltaics sector, since China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Chile, Australia and the USA, i.e. the other European solar power countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium and Great Britain, market and technology-relevant partner countries outside of Europe are actively involved in this program. The dissemination of the results from IEA PVPS takes place mainly via the activities coordinated by or with the Austrian photovoltaic technology platform, since all national actors in PVPS are also members in the Austrian technology platform.

In addition to the annual analyzes of the global PV market in Task 1 (compiled in the trends and snapshot and the national survey reports), recent results include 

  • analyzes of the recycling and resource use footprint (Task 12) and the quantification of technical risks in PV systems (Task 13), 
  • additional PV services for power grids ("ancillary services", Task 14), 
  • various publications on building-integrated PV (Task 15) and on PV-operated e-charging stations and 
  • the role of PV in e-mobility in general (Task 17 ).

In Task 16, solar resources and forecasts are analyzed. Task 18 (started in 2019) deals with photovoltaic hybrid systems away from strong power grids.

The illustration below shows the CO2 footprint that occurs when generating one kWh of electricity using PV, depending on the technology used. (cf. coal approx. 800-1000 kg CO2/kWh, natural gas: approx. 450-500 kg CO2/kWh); Source; IEA PVPS Task 12 Factsheet "Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Electricity from PV systems", 2021

CO2 footprint that occurs when generating one kWh of electricity using PV, depending on the technology used.
CO2 footprint that occurs when generating one kWh of electricity using PV, depending on the technology used. (Quelle: IEA PVPS Task 12 Factsheet "Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Electricity from PV systems", 2021)

Ongoing Tasks and Actionsgroups with Austrian participation

Concluded Tasks

Publications

Photovoltaic - Industry and Research in Austria

This brochure examines the existing domestic value creation in the field of photovoltaics and provides an overview of the Austrian research landscape, along with open research questions related to photovoltaic technology.
Publisher: Austrian Photovoltaic Technology Platform - TPPV supported by BMK (2024)
English, 13 Seiten

More Publications are available on the German part of the website.

Participants

Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS), SolarPower Europe, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United States

Contact Address

ExCo Delegate

Österreichische Technologieplattform Photovoltaik und FH Technikum Wien
Hubert Fechner
Mariahilferstrasse 37-39
A-1060 Wien
Tel.: +43 (664) 619 25 72
E-mail: h.fechner@tppv.at
Web: www.tppv.at; www.pvaustria.at

ExCo Alternate

Christine Promok, MSc
Bundesministerium für Innovation, Mobilität und Infrastruktur (BMIMI)
Sektion III – Innovation und Technologie
Abteilung 3 – Energie- und Umwelttechnologien
Radetzkystraße 2
A-1030 Wien
Tel.: +43 664 887 42 408
E-Mail: christine.promok@bmimi.gv.at