Photovoltaic R and D in the Federal Republic of Germany

Research and Development in the field of photovoltaics have found a steadily increasing support from the Federal Ministry of Research and Technology (BMFT) as well as from the Federal States. Since the Governmental grants for the private industry are on a cost-sharing basis the Governmental budgets are supplemented by appreciable contributions from that side. The aim of the German PV R and D programme is the development of technical solutions for the use of solar energy for the production of electricity as well as the development of cost-effective technologies in the fields of materials, solar cells, modules, systems and system components. In the long range PV is thought to be one of the most valuable energy options.