Munich, 22 January, 2010 –The 5th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC-5) will bring together the three most important global scientific and strategic PV Conferences: the 25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, the 36th US IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference and the 20th Asia/Pacific PV Science and Engineering Conference. This unique PV solar gathering will constitute the world’s leading science-to-science, business-to-business and science-to industry forum for the global PV Solar sector. This joint event of the global PV community will take place in Valencia, Spain, from 6-10 September 2010 (Conference: 6-10 September 2010 - Exhibition: 6-9 September 2010).

Dr. Giovanni Federigo De Santi, Director of the Institute for Energy (IE), Joint Research Centre (JRC) - European Commission, will be Conference General Chairman of this global PV convention. Dr. De Santi will be supported by the Conference Vice Chairpersons Prof. Makoto Konagai, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan, and Dr. Robert Walters, US Naval Research Laboratory, Washington DC, USA.

De Santi states: “Certainly 2010 is a very decisive year for Photovoltaic Solar Energy in Europe. The European Union has set the goal of providing 20% of its energy demand using renewable sources by the end of this decade. This would translate into more than 35% of renewable electricity. Whether PV will reach a 3%, 5% or even 12% share will be influenced by the decisions of the Member States on the implementation of their renewable energy action plans, which are in preparation till mid 2010, just before the Conference takes place. Similar ambitious plans are being brought forward in the US, Japan, China and India, ensuring global growth rates for PV in the coming years.” De Santi continues:”I am confident that this 5th World Conference will provide the best forum to present the latest progress in solar cell development and manufacturing. The visions of how massive deployment of photovoltaic systems will look in 10 years time will be outlined.”

Background:
For many years now, the European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC) combines a very reputable international scientific conference with a leading PV industry exhibition and trade fair. Over 5 days of conference and 4 days of trade fair, new products and technical innovations from all areas of photovoltaics and from all over the world are on show.

This global PV solar event is supported by various European and international organisations such as the European Commission, UNESCO - United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation - Natural Sciences Sector, WCRE - World Council for Renewable Energy, the International Photovoltaic Equipment Association (IPVEA) and by an institutional promotional cooperation with the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA). The Technical Programme is coordinated by the European Commission, DG Joint Research Centre.

For further information, please visit: www.photovoltaic-conference.com or contact:

Press Office of the 25th EU PVSEC and WCPEC-5
MetaCom Corporate Communications GmbH
Bruchköbeler Landstr. 37, 63452 Hanau, Germany, Fax: +49-6181-9828010
Bernhard Krause, e-mail: Bernhard.Krause@go-metacom.de, Tel: +49-6181-9828020

25th EU PVSEC and WCPEC-5 realised by
WIP - Renewable Energies
Contact: Heinz Ehmann, EU PVSEC Communications
Sylvensteinstr. 2, 81369 München, Germany
e-mail: Heinz.Ehmann@wip-munich.de, Tel: +49-89-72012735