National Center for Photovoltaics
The National Center for Photovoltaics (NCPV) at NREL focuses on technology innovations that drive industry growth in U.S. photovoltaic manufacturing. The NCPV includes capabilities in PV research, development, deployment, and outreach.
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To help the U.S. photovoltaic industry maintain a competitive position, the U.S. Department of Energy created the NCPV in 1996 to serve as a focal point for developing technology and disseminating information about photovoltaics in the United States.
The NCPV's long-term goal is for PV modules and systems to reach higher efficiencies with improved reliability while lowering costs. Key objectives are to:
- Communicate information
The NCPV is intended as the focal point for PV information, education, and outreach. - Provide vision
The NCPV strategically guides, directs, and coordinates PV activities to ensure the best use of national laboratory and partner research capabilities. - Seek opportunities
The NCPV facilitates strategic partnerships and alliances with domestic and international stakeholders to overcome market and institutional barriers.
The NCPV is built on the facilities and expert staff at the national laboratories, leveraging additional resources at universities, industry, and other federal programs.
NREL partnered with members of the Global Alliance of Solar Energy Research Institutes to consider the potential of terawatt-scale photovoltaics to transform the global energy system and the associated opportunities and challenges. See the resulting May 2019 Science article to learn more (Summary | Reprint | Full text).
Also see the April 2017 Science article from an earlier workshop that considered trajectories and challenges for terawatt-scale PV (Summary | Reprint | Full text).
Nancy Haegel is lead of the NCPV. Learn more by contacting the NCPV.