The two-day thematic workshop and networking event taking place at the University of Cyprus on November 14 and 15, 2018 was hosted by FOSS research centre for sustainable energy of UCY, AIT the Austrian Institute of Technology AIT and DTU the Denmark Technological University DTU. The workshop was specifically geared towards the Cypriot Photovoltaic Industry with the specific aim of strengthening its ties to academia and the surrounding MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. There were guest presentations from world-renowned researchers and leaders from Austria, Denmark, Spain, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Jordan and U.S.A. The topics included grid integration, smart grids, soiling, new business plans for PV plants that contain storage and Quality Assurance of PV plants. The participants were exposed to new business models, new technologies and new opportunities that will influence their businesses in the very near future. The workshop attracted approximately fifty participants coming from Industry and academia from countries such as Cyprus, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and USA.