Prof. Dr Wilfried G.J.H.M. van Sark
Wilfried van Sark is full professor “Integration of Photovoltaic Solar Energy” at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development of Utrecht University. He is an experimental physicist by training (MSc/PhD), and has over 40 years of experience in the field of PV. He worked on various material systems such as crystalline and thin film silicon and III-V solar cells, both experimentally and theoretically. His current activities comprise performance analysis of various types of PV systems, such as standard PV systems in buildings and open fields, building-integrated PV, (off-shore) floating PV and agricultural PV. Moreover, he investigates solar spectrum conversion to increase conversion efficiency for next-generation PV energy converters, in particular transparent luminescent solar concentrators. Finally, he develops PV forecasting based on all-sky imaging in support of optimal integration of PV in the electricity grid, in combination with stationary storage, vehicle-to-grid options, optimised self-consumption in combination with demand response.
Share and Learn!
Photovoltaics capacity is approaching 3 TW globally, and today PV supplies over 10% of all electricity demand. The renewable energy revolution is ongoing, but various obstacles need to be overcome to reach over 50 TW capacity, which is required, together with wind and hydro, to realize a world that is fully running on renewable energy. Besides ongoing technical developments on PV efficiency, options for PV integration, various policy and regulatory barriers, and public acceptance issues, recent geopolitical developments are also threatening the continued growth in PV capacity.
Europe is working hard to reshore PV manufacturing capacity at every level, from wafers and cells to modules, thereby focusing on Wp-premiums of a few cents to ensure that modules have a lower carbon footprint and are free from forced labour. Besides the classical silicon-based options, new thin films are being developed with the ambition to reach efficiencies of 35% or higher with tandem approaches. Moreover, integration is key for PV applications, be it in buildings, agricultural lands or water bodies, to ensure continued public acceptance.
But perhaps even more important is the integration of PV power in the electricity grid, which was never designed to accommodate renewables. Therefore, we as the PV community have to come out of our shell and connect to the world around us. On the one hand, we need to promote PV as essential asset in a future renewable electricity system, and on the other hand, we need to learn from storage and energy management experts, how such a system could be optimized, particularly regarding lowest cost.
Electricity grids, or rather their management, should be transformed from a demand-following system to a supply-following system, which should include stationary battery storage as well as vehicle-to-grid options. Electricity market reforms may be needed as well. With weather-dependent renewable energy sources, it is essential to have accurate weather forecasts in support of grid management.
Building on over 50 years of legacy in PV research and development, as evidenced by the longstanding history of the series of European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conferences, the global PV community has fostered collaboration in all areas of relevance for massive deployment of PV systems. The 2026 conference will once again provide a means for the global community to discuss recent developments in PV while also addressing how best PV can be integrated into the system. Besides potential new efficiency records, I hope to see how, for example, aesthetics in buildings with PV contribute to increasing the quality of life, as well as how new agri-PV designs will ensure food production and biodiversity.
I am very happy that the 43rd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference (EU PVSEC) will take place in the city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. With the Netherlands leading the per-capita installed PV capacity and the fact that congestion is high on the Dutch agenda, potentially hampering further PV capacity increases, the global PV community can learn and share insights on how best to address PV energy management to avoid grid congestion. The choice of Rotterdam is further warranted as the Rotterdam harbour plays a central role in the import of PV modules, as over half of the PV capacity installed in Europe comes through the Rotterdam harbour.
Needless to say, I warmly invite you all to share your knowledge at this major annual event, and also to be surprised, inspired, and to learn, while enjoying the truly multicultural city of Rotterdam!
