EU PVSEC 2012 27TH EUROPEAN PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR ENERGY CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION

The 27th EU PVSEC takes place in Frankfurt, Germany. From 24 to 28 September 2012, the EU PVSEC hosts the global PV community on the Messe Frankfurt fairground (Conference 24 to 28 September 2012 – Exhibition 25 to 28 September 2012). The Executive Committee of the EU PVSEC looks forward to welcoming professionals from the entire PV value chain in the financial and business hub Frankfurt in Germany.

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Chairman's Message

Dear Member of the Global PV Community,

It is my great honour and pleasure to invite you to participate in the 27th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition which will be held for the first time in Frankfurt, Germany. Following what has become a tradition and a must for many in the sector, the European and the world photovoltaic community will meet, discuss and debate about the most recent scientific progresses, technological successes, industrial developments, cost reductions, financial and policy issues or market deployment results. The unique feature of this conference is the fact that it represents a “melting pot” where all the “hot” subjects around photovoltaic technology are being addressed.

Times are indeed hot these days with major challenges ahead of us. Private and public economies, countries and whole continents are facing situations they have never encountered before. Traditional values and certainties are changing rapidly; calling for flexibility, new solutions and often completely new mindsets. Energy topics have gained much importance within this overall demanding development. As evidenced by the IEA’s recent World Energy Outlook, we have not yet managed to steer our ship in the right direction. “Governments need to introduce stronger measures to drive investment in efficient and low-carbon technologies. The Fukushima nuclear accident, the turmoil in parts of the Middle East and North Africa and a sharp rebound in energy demand in 2010 which pushed CO2 emissions to a record high, highlight the urgency and the scale of the challenge,” said the IEA Executive Director Maria van der Hœven.

As we all know, photovoltaics can and will be part of the solution, if we manage to deliver on the technical and economic promises on the one hand and if we can answer the critical questions and overcome the scepticisms that the sector is facing on the other hand. This will not be an easy task, especially in these days where painful consolidation takes place in the industry and public support needs to be well justified. But I am convinced that it is a doable task.

Frankfurt has a combination of attributes which will hopefully open our minds in searching for new solutions. The pulsating feature of a major financial market place, important industrial manufacturing activities, a European hub for international air and train travel, as well as a prominent conference and exhibition center: These facets will help us to position photovoltaics in the real world and to make sure that it stays there. Frankfurt has a long history and cultural tradition. It’s also the famous German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s birthplace. Surely this is the perfect inspirational setting for us to think beyond science and technology.

I would therefore encourage and invite all of you to think out of the box, go beyond the short term, advance your ideas and take part in the discussions which will take place at the 27th EUPVSEC in Frankfurt. Together, we can manage to make photovoltaics part of the solutions we are looking for in our everyday lives; the sooner, the better.

I look forward to welcome you in Frankfurt!

Dr. Stefan Nowak
Chairman IEA PVPS, International Energy Agency
Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme
Conference General Chairman