Aims and Goals

Photovoltaic power generation, which employs solar cells as energy conversion devices, is a promising form of clean energy that does not emit greenhouse gases. Great progress has been made in photovoltaic power generation systems research and development and industrial applications since the 175th Committee was established in 2004. Global annual solar cell production volume has quintupled in that time, with worldwide solar cell manufacturing facilities projected to have reached 30 GW in 2010. Basic scientific research to broadly improve conversion efficiency will be necessary for the achievement of the goals of photovoltaic power generation adoption and development, and in terms of production, manufacturing processes adapted to 1 to 10 gigawatts of annual production volume will also need to be developed from here on.

With the environment around next-generation photovoltaic power generation systems changing greatly as described above, research into new concepts and materials and the development of device physics and structures, peripheral technologies for cell and module manufacturing, systems application technologies, and energy management technologies are urgent tasks if Japan is to maintain its superiority in technology development in this field and contribute substantially to the large-scale adoption of this technology. Further, there will be numerous extremely challenging issues in future research and development that will require wide-ranging, interdisciplinary scientific research in such fields as physics, organic and inorganic materials engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and electronics, energy science, and life sciences. Because there will be additional needs for joint academia-industry research, speedy investigative research and data exchanges adapted to internationalization, and the sharing of information at international forums and at other venues that include internationally prominent researchers and people involved in national policy-making, the committee’s term has been extended.

Research Themes

During our second term, we will endeavor to respond to new industry requirements by adding primarily young committee members involved with new concepts and materials and systems applications and step up the committee’s research activities. At the same time, we will take up the following topics related to research toward the goal of practical applications for next-generation photovoltaic power generation systems from 2010 onward.
Next-generation solar cell material technologies
Next-generation solar cell device and process technologies
Systems technologies that employ next-generation solar cells and analysis technologies
The policies of individual countries regarding next-generation photovoltaic power generation systems, etc.

Duration

April 2009 to March 2014 (Second term, Five years)

Membership Composition

Academia: 70
Industry: 74
Total membership: 144

Committee Chairperson

Makoto Konagai

Professor Graduate School of Engineering Tokyo Institute of Technology

Committee Web Site

http://solid.pe.titech.ac.jp/~gakushin/