IEA PVPS: Highlights 2024

Reflecting on a dynamic 2024, we invite you to explore the significant achievements, publications, and key topics from the IEA PVPS programme. Discover what we have been working on and what our plans are for the future. Grab a cup of tea, lean back, and scroll through this long list of accomplishments!

This year has been particularly productive in terms of research output, with 30 insightful reports and 6 Fact Sheets across our Tasks. Below is an overview of our publications in 2024 sorted by Task. Click on the link for more information and to download the publication.

• Report "Snapshot of Global PV Markets"
• Reports "National Survey Report 2023"
• Fact Sheets "National Survey Report 2023" France and Spain
• Report "Trends in Photovoltaic Applications"

• Fact Sheet "Circular Economy"
• Fact Sheet "Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Electricity from PV Systems"
• Report "Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of PERC Photovoltaic Module Technology"
• Report "Status of PV Module Take-Back and Recycling in Germany"
• Report "Advances in Module Recycling – Literature Review and Update to Empirical LCI Data and Patent Review"
• Report "Carbon Footprint of Floating PV Systems"

• Fact Sheet "Bifacial Tracking"
• Report "Best Practices for the Optimization of Bifacial Photovoltaic Tracking Systems"
• Report "Performance of Partially Shaded PV Generators Operated by Optimized Power Electronics 2024"
• Report "Technical Key Performance Indicators for Photovoltaic Systems: Challenges and Best Practices"

• Report "Active Power Management of Photovoltaic Systems – State of the Art and Technical Solutions"
• Report "Reactive Power Management with Distributed Energy Resources"
• Report "Provision of Frequency-Related Services from PV Systems"

• Reports "Analysis of the Technological Innovation System for BIPV in Sweden, Italy, Australia, Netherlands, Austria"
• Report "Digital BIM-based Process for BIPV Digital Product Data Models"
• Fact Sheet "Multi-Dimensional-Evaluation of BIPV Installations"
• Journal Article "Digitalising BIPV Energy Simulation: A Cross Tool Investigation":
• Report "Advancing BIPV Standardization: Addressing Regulatory Gaps and Performance Challenges"

• Report "Best Practices Handbook for the Collection and Use of Solar Resource Data for Solar Energy Applications: Fourth Edition"

• Report "Expert Survey on Technical Requirements of PV-powered Passenger Vehicles":

• Report "Evaluation of Software Tools for Standalone Microgrid Design and Optimization"

Workshops

Throughout 2024, our IEA PVPS experts conducted a range of workshops covering a wide spectrum of topics in the photovoltaic sector. These events provided a platform for experts to exchange about the future of solar technologies. Key topics discussed included:

• Agrivoltaics;
• Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV);
• Adapted Testing for Emerging PV Applications;
• Digitalisation in PV Power Plants: Enhancing O&M through Digital Twinning, Data and Process Integration;
• Technical challenges and opportunities related to PV performance modeling;
• Global PV market;
• Environmental analysis of photovoltaic systems;
• Floating PV power plants;
• Solar Resource Handbook;
• Extreme Weather Impacts on PV System Reliability.

For more detailed insights from these presentations and additional information on each topic, please visit our website.

Webinar Highlights in 2024

In 2024, IEA PVPS organized a variety of impactful webinars, two of them in collaboration with the International Solar Energy Society (ISES), bringing global experts together to discuss pivotal advancements and challenges in the photovoltaic sector. Here are our highlights, which can we re-watched on our youtube channel.

Enabling 2nd Life for Photovoltaics

This webinar, conducted in partnership with ISES, delved into the critical topic of giving a second life to photovoltaic systems. Experts discussed sustainable practices, including recycling and repurposing of PV modules, which are essential for enhancing the lifecycle environmental performance of solar energy systems.

Watch the webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv_awAyoRME

Adapting Solar PV Solutions for Climate and Applications

This workshop, organized by IEA PVPS Task 13 and NREL, explored the critical need for tailored PV system designs to withstand diverse climatic conditions. Experts shared insights on innovative materials, including anti-soiling coatings and specialized glass for PV modules, essential for enhancing durability and efficiency in harsh environments. Discussions also covered real-world applications, providing valuable strategies for stakeholders to optimize PV systems for specific regional challenges, ensuring both resilience and performance.

Watch the webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDun-9dTMFM&t=1s

IEA PVPS Trends Report 2024

Another highlight was the webinar presenting the IEA PVPS Trends Report 2024. This session, organized in partnership with ISES, offered a comprehensive analysis of the global photovoltaic market. The discussion focused on the rapid expansion across various global markets, delving into the effects of policies and technological advancements on this dynamic industry.

Watch the webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-JOLI-exWs

Conferences

While our experts were present and represented IEA PVPS at various conferences around the world this year, the programme has been present with a booth at EUPVSEC and PVSEC-35.

EUPVSEC

In September 2024, IEA PVPS participated at EUPVSEC with a booth that provided a platform for discussions and networking. The booth attracted a number of experts and industry professionals, facilitating conversations on various topics related to photovoltaic technologies and their applications.

PVSEC-35

In November 2024, IEA PVPS participated with a booth in the 35th PVSEC held in Numazu, Japan. This participation allowed the team to engage directly with experts and stakeholders, discussing current trends and innovations in photovoltaic technology.

Meetings

Throughout 2024, various Task meetings were held across the globe, serving as vital platforms for collaboration and exchange on advancements in photovoltaic technology. These meetings brought together our experts from different regions to discuss a range of topics, including technological innovations, implementation challenges, market trends, and policy developments related to solar power.

The IEA PVPS Executive Committee (ExCo) held a meeting in Yokohama, Japan from November 6-8, 2024. Over three days, the committee reviewed progress updates from the nine active tasks and discussed essential topics like planning, finance, strategy, and communications. The meeting included 40 participants, representing 21 countries and the EU Commission. A heartfelt thank you to our Japanese hosts, who organized this meeting!

In November, our Executive Secretary Emily Mitchell and Chair Daniel Mugnier were invited by our Chinese ExCo members to attend a series of meetings in China. They engaged in extensive discussions, sharing insights on new research developments, technological advances, and effective strategies to promote the wider adoption of solar energy technologies. A special thanks to the wonderful hosts and guides throughout this enlightening trip!

Action Group Agrivoltaics

This year, IEA PVPS launched a new Agrivoltaics Action Group. This innovative initiative aims to explore the synergies between agriculture and solar energy generation, leveraging expertise from Task 12 (PV Sustainability), Task 13 (Photovoltaic System Reliability), and Task 16 (Solar Resource Management).

The Agrivoltaics Action Group is designed to foster international cooperation and interdisciplinary engagement. By optimizing land use, improving agricultural resilience to climate change, and encouraging broad-based support for solar energy initiatives, the group seeks to unlock the full potential of agrivoltaics. Key objectives include developing strategies to strengthen the agriculture sector's ability to withstand climate change impacts and promoting greater acceptance and support for solar energy within communities.

3 Workshops were already held this year. To find more information about the Action Group, visit our website.

Upcoming Tasks

In 2025, IEA PVPS will launch two new Tasks, Task 19 and Task 20.

Task 19: Photovoltaic Integration in Electricity Networks and Markets

Task 19 will focus on advocating for grid-connected solar PV as a key power source and supporting stakeholders with international studies and technical expertise. The Task will address challenges such as PV integration for grid stability, digitalization, and systems management, while promoting collaboration among renewable energy sources to strengthen energy systems worldwide.

To learn more about this new Task, watch this short video with Gerd Heilscher, Manager of Task 19:

For more detailed information, visit our website.

Task 20: Energy Hubs for Green Hydrogen

IEA PVPS is set to launch Task 20 in 2025, focusing on "Energy Hubs for Green Hydrogen." This initiative, in collaboration with the IEA TCPs Wind and Hydrogen, will address technical, environmental, and societal challenges, aiming to enhance the production of green hydrogen. The Task will provide actionable insights for global implementation, emphasizing the development of adaptable hybrid systems tailored to local conditions.

For more details on Task 20, you can read our latest column in PV Magazine.

Throughout 2024, we have significantly expanded our communication efforts, successfully enhancing our outreach and engagement with the global photovoltaic community.

We've consistently contributed articles to PV Magazine, providing insightful analysis and the latest updates on solar PV technologies and their applications.

Find all of our articles here.

Our YouTube channel has become a new platform for sharing video content, including interviews with experts, discussions on PV trends, and webinar recordings, helping to bring valuable knowledge to a broader audience.

Watch our videos and subscribe here.

Our regular newsletter has kept subscribers informed about recent activities, upcoming events, and developments within the IEA PVPS Tasks.

Subscribe here.

We have also translated fact sheets and selected sections of the website into 8 languages. This initiative broadens accessibility and ensures that stakeholders worldwide can engage with critical information in their native languages.

Find all of our translated publications by selecting a language here.

These combined efforts ensure that stakeholders are well-informed and engaged with the progress and initiatives of IEA PVPS.

As 2024 comes to an end, we thank everyone for their active participation and support throughout a year full of progress and achievements at IEA PVPS. Looking forward, we're excited to continue our work, introducing new Tasks and furthering our commitment to advancing photovoltaic technologies globally.

Thanks for reading and stay connected with us for more updates and developments in the coming year!

About IEA PVPS

The IEA Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) is one of the collaborative R&D Agreements established within the IEA and, since its establishment in 1993, the PVPS participants have been conducting a variety of joint projects in the application of photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into electricity.