Abstract

The goal of SOLAR-ERA.NET is to undertake joint strategic planning, programming and activities for RTD and innovation in the area of solar electricity generation, i.e. photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP). Joint activities, namely joint calls, are defined for key topics and priorities in accordance with the Solar Europe Industrial Initiative (SEII) based on the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan and its related Implementation Plans for PV and CSP. The network's activities will primarily involve the launching of joint calls for RTD proposals by national and regional RTD and innovation programmes. In order to define and support best joint activities, strategic information exchange and use of implementation tools will be carried out among the network participants and associates from key stakeholder groups. As the largest European network ever - with 19 partners from 18 countries and regions - in the solar power field, SOLAR-ERA.NET will involve more than 20 RTD and innovation programmes dealing with PV and CSP. This high level of involvement of most relevant stakeholders will provide excellent outreach and coordination needed for an efficient and coherent approach in the highly diverse and versatile RTD landscape. The EC funding (for the ERA-NET project) shall be multiplied by a factor of 50 in the form of joint calls. These joint calls for RTD and innovation topics in PV and CSP shall result in a total funding volume by the participating programmes of at least 50 MEUR. Assuming an average leverage factor of associated funding by industry and research of 2,5, this shall lead to the mobilisation of at least 125 MEUR in joint projects. SOLAR-ERA.NET will thus contribute to reach the objectives of the SEII, namely boosting the development of the PV and CSP sector beyond “business-as-usual”, and of the ERA-NET, namely enhancing cooperation between the national/regional programming stakeholders at European level.