The Solar Europe Industry Initiative: Research, technology development and demonstration in support of 2020 and long-term targets

The European Union has set an ambitious target for the implementation of renewable energy technologies by 2020, i.e. a share of 20% of the total energy consumption. In support of these targets the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan has been initiated by the European Commission. One of the key components of this plan is the establishment of Industry Initiatives aiming at technology development and demonstration to enable large-scale deployment at minimum cost and maximum benefits for society. The Solar Europe Industry Initiative (SEII), covering both photovoltaic solar energy and concentrating solar power has been launched in June 2010. It provides clear, technology-related targets and priorities for research, development and demonstration, for EU as well as member state programs. The PV-part of the SEII is a joint effort of the European Photovoltaic Technology Platform and the European Photovoltaic Industry Association, which together represent most of the R&D and industry capacity in Europe.