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39
th IEEE PHOTOVOLTAIC SPECIALISTS CONFERENCE
CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
Welcome to the 39th IEEE PV Specialists Conference, the
pre-eminent global technical conference in photovoltaics
that is sponsored by the world’s largest professional
association for the advancement of technology, the
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. The 39th
PVSC comes at a very exciting time in the evolution of
the PV industry. Installations in the Americas grew by
more than 76% in 2012 as compared to 2011. The U.S.
Solar Market Insight Report: Year In Review, co-authored
by GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries
Association, said that 2012 PV solar installations were
3.31
GW, more than 40% more than all previous U.S.
solar online capacity. This isn’t too surprising considering
retail electricity prices have grown by 35% since the start
of 2000, and the average price of solar systems dropping
by 70% in the same period, according to GTM and SEIA.
GTM and SEIA predict another 30% growth of the U.S.
market in 2013, with 4.3 GW of new capacity installed. So
chances are this will continue to be a very dynamic time
for PV.
The one constant is that the PVSC will continue to be
the showcase for the technological and manufacturing
advances that are the driving force behind this
development. Its eleven topical technical focus areas
range across fundamentals, characterization, new
concepts, all of the major commercial and next generation
technologies, space and terrestrial applications, policy
and finance developments, and our newest area devoted
to the science of PV reliability. The highest quality papers
presented at the PVSC will be eligible for inclusion in the
IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, a newly commissioned,
peer-reviewed, archival publication reporting original
and significant research results that advance the field
of photovoltaics. We will also be providing a full slate of
tutorials from PV101 to Distributed Generation Integration
-
Understanding the Current Challenges and Opportunities
and a IEA PVPS Task 13 Workshop: Lessons Learned
from the Analytical Monitoring and Modeling of PV
Systems. Details on the tutorials and workshop can be
found within this booklet.
In addition to the technical program, we have a thriving
exhibit area where vendors will be showcasing the latest
products, technologies and services for the PV research
community. There are also a number of booths showcasing
some of the leading PV research centers, federal labs,
and university research programs. The exhibitor area will
also play host to our PV Jobs Fair, our High School PV
competition, and of course the Monday evening exhibitors’
reception.
CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
