How the European Commission Policy Supports Research and Development in Photovoltaics

The paper presents an outlook of the European Commission's policy in supporting research and development (R&D) in photovoltaics (PV) and its mainstream adoption. It analyses the key elements of the EC policy aimed at securing for the European Union leading position in a global competition in PV, including the Strategic Energy Technology Plan, the H2020 Framework Programme and the Energy Union strategy. The paper also analyses the key areas of PV technologies development in Europe as stimulated by R&D funding, the magnitude of investment and particular research topics supported by the EC (with focus on one of the 12 Key Enabling Technologies for the European Union identified as perovskites), as well as the general progress of European PV technology in its international context. Finally the paper addresses the renewables and in particular the role of PV in the European Union COVID-19 pandemic recovery strategy. The paper also discusses the PV R&D potential versus other, traditionally dominating renewable energy sources, such as wind power and hydro power.