Dissemination of photovoltaics in the developing world: the role of international centers of excellence

Until now, most national and international institutions related to PV and, in general, to solar energy, focused their attention on demonstration and pilot projects which, in developing countries, often have had little or no impact on bringing new sources of energy into widespread use. This situation led some researchers and policy makers to imagine new schemes for the dissemination of new and renewable sources of energy (NRSE). Appearing particularly promising, the implementation of Regional Centers which, much with the same philosophy as the International Agricultural Research centers (CGIAR), may constitute an important thrust to the use of NRSE. Detailed considerations of the primary tasks, as well as, the financial requirements of such Regional Centers are presented and discussed