The Italian PV R&D programme: status and perspectives

Italy has been active in PV related research for about 30 years. Important results were obtained in a wide range of subjects, and the country gained a leading position of in terms of installed capacity and industrial production until the mid-\´90s. However, the National PV programme did not continue after 1996, which caused an almost immediate drop out of dedicated resources especially in universities, and a general reduced interest for PV. More recently, triggered by the positive situation of the market world-wide, and by environmental concerns which convinced the Government through the Ministry of Environment to launch the "PV roofs" programme, a more optimistic situation can be seen generally, attracting newcomers, and inducing ENEL and Eni to expand their commitment. There is now an expectation of an Italian R&D programme on photovoltaics encouraged by the Ministries of Research and Industry, which the PV community is looking forward to.