The new Renewable Energy Directive which sets the target of 20% of Renewables by 2020 is a great opportunity to make a real case for Solar PV now and in the near future.

Here at SolarPV.TV we would like to contribute to this goal by raising peoples awareness of SolarPV and its immense benefits. One of our aims is to create a sense of understanding towards this ever evolving sector accross all levels accross society.

The European Commission has been supporting Solar PV for more than 30 years at various levels and in they see that there are currently many untapped opportunities to save energy and encourage the use of renewable energy sources in Europe, but market conditions do not always help.

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Intelligent Energy - Europe programme managed by the Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (EACI) is the EU's tool for funding action to improve these conditions and move us towards a more energy intelligent Europe.

       2010 call for proposals now open.       

 Some ?56 million are available, supporting up to 75% of the eligible project costs. Any public or private organisation from the EU, Iceland, Norway, Liechenstein and Croatia can apply. Only online applications are possible. Deadline for submission is 24th of June 17:00 Local Brussels time.

Last week we were delighted to speak with two of the senior executives form EACI who are in charge of the IEE programme.  

• Mr William Gillett, Head of Unit, Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (EACI), Unit 1 - Rewnewable Energy 
• Mr. Gianluca Tondi, Project officer, Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (EACI), Unit 1 - Renewable Energy

While speaking with Mr. Gianluca Tondi, he shared with us his experience of the current projects focusing on Solar PV:

• PVs in Bloom PV NMS
• PV Legal
• PVs in Bloom

He also let?s us know more about:

• Funding available for Solar PV in the current call
  
• What is the key to be successful when submitting the proposal to the next call?
• On which points applicants should put a special accent/emphasis?

In our interview, Mr. Gillett details to the SolarPV.TV worldwide viewers what level of support there is for renewable energies within the EU and what role EACI plays in promoting awareness and support?

He speaks about the importance of IEE program as an important tool, which helps implement EU policy in support of RES, and how the program differs from other programs such as FP7, for example.He also shares with us his opinion about the role of Solar PV in the program during the recent years and how he sees Solar PV in the future.

This interview can be seen by clicking here

Below you will fnd useful documents and links

Presentations of the current Solar PV projects:

Useful links:

•   The IEE programme
• The call for proposals 2010
• The call documents
• The IEE project database
• The web-site of EACI
• RES Directive
• SET Plan
• THE ELENA FACILITY
• EU PV Technology Platform (please also see WG2 Market Deployment, Communication and Promotion)
• EPIA (The European Photovoltaic Industry Association)  

Interesting publications:

• Renewable energy in buildings. Make your building smile English, Deutsch, Français 

• Renewable electricity. Make the switch. English, Deutsch, Français

• Implementation Plan for the SRA

• Strategic Research Agenda

• Frequently Asked Questions about Solar PV

• Status of PV in the New Member States of EU

Related video:

• EU Set Plan - Is it Realistic? SolarPV.TV Monthly Solar PV Market Update in co-operation with iSuppli