28th EU PVSEC 2013 opens today in Paris, France

PARIS, FRANCE: The 28th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC 2013) opens its doors today, Monday, 30 September 2013, and is ready to welcome the global PV business and research community in Paris, France.

The event takes place from 30 September to 04 October 2013 (Conference: 30 September to 04 October 2013 - Exhibition: 01 to 03 October 2013). This unique PV solar gathering constitutes the world's leading science-to-science, business-to-business and science-to-industry forum for the global PV Solar sector.

The EU PVSEC 2013 Opening is chaired by Arnaud Mine, president of SOLER, France and features addresses by Dominique Ristori, director general of Joint Research Centre (JRC), European Commission, Jean-Louis Bal, president of SER - Syndicat des Energies Renouvelables and Franco Ongaro, director, European Space Agency - ESTEC, followed by the delivery of the European Becquerel Prize for outstanding merits in Photovoltaics.

World renowned researchers like Andreas Bett, Fraunhofer ISE, Martin Green, University of New South Wales, Lars Samuelson, Lund University and Nicholas Hylton, Imperial College London will present highlights of the latest innovations in PV research and technologies.

The EU PVSEC Opening will be concluded with the Opening Panel Discussion addressing the role of Policy and Research for PV in a Global Market, moderated by Melinda Crane, chief political correspondent, Deutsche Welle. The introductory presentation will be given by Jenny Chase, Bloomberg New Energy Finance. The high level international panel will debate about research and the political vision regarding Renewable Energies in the global context:

* Arnaud Mine, President of SOLER, France.

* Claude Turmes, Member of the European Parliament; ITRE Committee and EUFORES President.

* Giovanni De Santi, Director Institute for Energy and Transport JRC, European Commission.

* Minh Le, Director, Solar Energy Technologies Office, SunShot Initiative, US Department of Energy, USA.

* Makoto Konagai, Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Research Director FUTURE-PV Innovation, Japan.

* Pierre Verlinden, VP, Chief Scientist and State Key Laboratory Vice Chair at Trina Solar, China.

* Stefan Rinck, CEO, Singulus Technologies, Germany.

EU PVSEC 2013 conference

As Photovoltaic Solar Energy is becoming a major electricity source, the EU PVSEC 2013 extends its focus to application- and policy-oriented topics with the inclusion of the related players. The EU PVSEC 2013 confirms its role as a driving force to provide new momentum to the further development of the PV solar sector.

With 1,600 scientific, technical and market-related Keynote, Plenary, Oral and Visual Presentations, the EU PVSEC 2013 is again the leading international Conference in Photovoltaics in 2013.

The Conference Programme has been set-up under the guidance of Technical Programme Chairman Dr. Arnulf Jäger-Waldau, European Commission, DG Joint Research Centre and covers the entire scope of Photovoltaics. It is structured along the following main topics:

* Material Studies, New Concepts, Ultra-High Efficiency and Space Technology.

* Wafer-Based Silicon Solar Cells and Materials Technology.

* Thin Film Solar Cells.

* Components for PV Systems.

* PV Systems and Applications.

* PV - a Major Electricity Source.

EU PVSEC 2013 exhibition

The EU PVSEC Industry Exhibition represents the entire PV value chain, including manufacturers of PV production equipment, manufacturers of photovoltaic solar cells and modules, systems suppliers, companies and organisations specialised in project development, research institutes, finance and consultancy.

While the current situation of overcapacity and consolidation in the PV industry is mirrored with fewer exhibitors than in previous years, the signals of a beginning recovery are being taken up. The leading technology innovators are on stage in Paris, showing confidence in globally recovering markets. The trend reversal is reflected in recently announced additional production equipment for display on the show floor. The three-day trade show of the PV and related industries attracts technology drivers from solar organisations around the world.

With 150 additional contributions, the Parallel Events complement the EU PVSEC Conference Programme and the PV Industry Exhibition. They provide a deep insight into specific topics along the most recent technology, market and business trends and address to global decision makers from industry, research, finance and politics.

The EU PVSEC Parallel Events are realised with leading international organisations such as IRENA - International Renewable Energy Agency, IEA - International Energy Agency PVPS & SHC, EMIRI - Energy Materials Industrial Research Initiative, EU PV TP - European Photovoltaic Technology Platform, The European Technology Platform Photonics21, EPIA - European Photovoltaic Industry Association, IPVEA - International PV Equipment Association, EPIC - European Photonics Industry Consortium.

The EU PVSEC 2014 will take place from September 22-25 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.