The ETIP PV Secretariat proposal (EUPV+) is designed to re-strengthen the European Technology and Innovation Platform for Photovoltaics (ETIP PV) by implementing a strong and pro-active Secretariat which will provide effective support to the ETIP PV Governance structures and the Working Groups. It will also further work to ensure that the ETIP PV becomes the point of reference for all stakeholders, especially PV industry, but also European and Member State officials. The project shall continue integrating national or regional PV platforms, and strengthening the relations with other organizations supporting the same goals, such as EERA, but also national PV associations and all trade bodies aiming at supporting the development of the European PV industry, not forgetting the other ETIPs.

The European Technology and Innovation Platform for Photovoltaics (ETIP PV) gathers all the relevant stakeholders of the PV sector, with arrangements for cooperative discussions with member states, associated countries, and the Commission services allowing stakeholders to meet, agree on their common interests, analyse the issues facing them in progressing R&I, interact with other groups, and determine their contribution to, and input for, the SET Plan. ETIP PV has supported SET Plan activities focused on raising the profile of PV or on helping policymakers to craft legislation or tailor research programmes to optimally support it. In 2018 onwards ETIP PV will continue to support the execution/realisation of the SET Plan Implementation Plan prepared by the SET Plan Temporary Working Group for PV (TWG PV). The ETIP PV – SEC II action aims to assist the mission of the ETIP PV. The proposal addresses the coordination of the ETIP PV' activities, especially towards the progress of the strategic R&I PV Implementation Plan.

The European Technology and Innovation Platform Photovoltaics (ETIP PV), hereinafter the Platform, is an independent organization of solar energy experts and professionals with a full coverage of relevant backgrounds. It develops joint European strategies and plans in the fields of research & innovation and education as well as market development. It also serves as the recognised point of reference for key decision and policy makers and provides high quality analyses and background documents on photovoltaic technology, economics, applications, system integration and other aspects that are important for the development of a competitive industry sector and growing markets. The Platform recognises the paramount importance and potential impact of the strategy for a European Energy Union and the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) and contributes to its activities. The main role of the ETIP PV Secretariat is to coordinate the activities of the Platform and to provide support to their Members in: • Collecting, developing, maintaining and communicating high-quality, up-to-date information and insights on all important aspects related to photovoltaic solar energy. • Communicating intensively with European Institutions, EU Member State governments, relevant national platforms and other relevant stakeholders to promote a harmonized approach towards accelerated development and large-scale deployment of photovoltaic solar energy. • Proactively establishing working contacts and cooperation with other Technology and Innovation Platforms, international organizations, interest groups and networks where appropriate in particularly with those related to photovoltaics. • Assisting the European Commission and Member States in defining research programmes and financial instruments, and addressing technical and non-technical barriers to the delivery of innovation to the energy market.

Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) are PV elements used to replace conventional building materials in parts of the building envelope, increasingly being incorporated into the construction of new buildings as a source of electrical power. The advantage of integrated PV over common non-integrated systems is that the initial cost can be offset by reducing the amount spent on building materials and labour that would normally be used. These advantages make BIPV one of the fastest growing segments of the PV industry. BIPV is considered to be the optimal method of installing renewable energy systems in urban, built-up areas where undeveloped land is scarce and expensive. Their widespread use is expected to become the backbone of the zero energy building European target for 2020. Despite technical promise, social barriers to widespread use have been identified (conservative culture of the building industry & integration with high-density urban design) and there is a disparity between the technological progress made and the professionals’ knowledge and skills (architects, engineers) being responsible for the integration of BIPV. PV can be included in buildings only if the professionals involved have sufficient knowledge of the technology and appropriate design tools. High level of technical knowledge and skills is required for BIPV planning. The project aims at developing an innovative and multidisciplinary, high quality course for BIPV in order to provide the necessary skills for the future BIPV professionals. This will be implemented at the postgraduate level and will be part of several Master programmes in Sustainable Energy. Innovation (through the utilization of ICT, VLE, remote labs), sustainability (partnership between academia, industry and other stakeholders) as well as significant impact for academic institutions, industry and other stakeholders will be the main outcomes. Project activities: 1. Identification of framework and requirements. 2. Development of high-quality didactic content on BIPV for higher education. 3. Development of virtual learning environment and course adaptation. 4. Deployment of remote labs. 5. Pilot testing of the course and refinement. 6. Awareness raising of the job prospects offered within the renewable energy sector in the field of BIPV. 7. Increase of awareness, sensitivity, and promotion of BIPV technologies among key target groups within the local economy. The consortium consists of: • A higher education institution in the Netherlands with extensive experience in the field of PV and BIPV. • A higher education institution in Cyprus with extensive experience in the field of PV and BIPV. • A higher education institution in Austria with extensive experience in the field of PV and BIPV. • A large enterprise in Cyprus with a worldwide presence and expertise in project & quality management, advisory services in the field of renewables, human capital development and training. • An expert company in Germany with high level experience in engineering, research, training capacity and dissemination projects in the renewable energy sector. Tangible & intangible outcomes: 1. Development of appropriate and up to date educational material for BIPV. 2. The creation of a Virtual Learning Platform & Remote Labs for BIPV education and training. 3. Accreditation (in parallel but beyond the scope of the project) The impact of the project is anticipated to be large and multi-dimensional. Higher education institutions will be able to incorporate the newly developed course component in their existing Master’s Programmes in Sustainable Energy thus enriching and improving the existing curriculum. They will be able to attract more students as they will be given new learning opportunities & experiences. They will satisfy the needs of the relevant industry, establish closer links with the relevant stakeholders, provide opportunities for closer interaction and satisfy the needs for quality education and learning. Moreover, they will receive worldwide recognition by academia and the industry as institutions with a focus on BIPV. They will be in a better position to develop and adopt a full Master’s Programme on BIPV as the market develops with the further uptake of the technology. On the longer term, improved visibility and recognition for these institutions offering such a high quality, innovative course and through open access of the material such excellence is expected to improve university ranking. Improvement, innovation and modernization of education in the countries involved and beyond the partnership is ensured, since the deliverables will be openly available to any HE institution interested in incorporating it into their Master’s Programmes. Stronger relations will be formed with economic actors in the PV and the wider business world and PV enterprises will be able to recruit well-educated and trained professionals (engineers, planners, architects, designers).