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 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.

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.

IWG5’s brief is to deliver the Implementation Plan on energy-efficient solutions for buildings, requiring Member States to put in place measures favouring both innovation in building design and energy technologies for buildings, and the uptake of these technologies by builders. EURAC will offer scientific support establish the performance of eco-building technologies today and assist the IWG5 in setting realistic but ambitious performance targets, then monitoring progress towards them. WIP will organise study tours to buildings that set the standard in eco-renovation or construction. These will be opportunities for IWG5 members to meet the actors responsible and the people who live in or near them to collect their views. ECTP and EUREC will focus on informing IWG5 of the latest thinking around eco-buildings coming from lobbies (NGOs, associations, public authorities, leaders of initiatives like the Mission for 100 Climate-neutral Cities by 2030) and building bridges to the thinkers in those lobbies. Digitisation is a major theme coming in the new proposed EPBD. We will align the EPBD’s innovation-related comitology committees with IWG5. Fed with ideas, quantitative analysis and with white papers produced by Task Forces tackling specific innovation-related topics, the IWG5 will update its Implementation Plan. A new release will come every year and be given lots of publicity. The IWG5 members will be invited to promote it within their ministries, in order to deliver it with appropriate national policies. IWG5-CSA will play close attention to the revision of National Energy and Climate Plans in 2023 (a joint activity with ETIPs) and, depending on the final legislated EPBD, National Building Renovation Plans in 2024. These plans are where Member States lay out the policies to reach their targets. We will work for take-up by countries of each other’s good ideas.