Abstract: . . .  regional centre for renewable energy policy research, studying the social and cultural factors relating to the use of solar energy; • continuing to promote a strong scientific exchange with other countries in the region by offering advanced laboratory training to scientists and technicians, and specialized courses on PV conversion; • developing special research projects that are of particular interest to the region. P U B L I C AT I O N S The following are some examples of the publications that have been generated by this project: Chambouleyron, I. (1984). Multiplegap amorphous solar cells reconsidered. Solar Cells, 12(4): 393-400. _______ (1986). A Third World view of the photovoltaic market. Solar Energy, 36(5): 381-386. _______ (1990). Photovoltaic power generation: social, economic and environmental aspects. Energy and Environment into the 1990s, Volume 1. Pergamon Press. 205 pp. _______ (2000). The development of science and technology in Latin America. Chemistry and Industry, 1(11). FUTURE PLANS The future plans of LPR include: • providing cutting-edge leadership as an international centre in basic research into PV materials and devices; • providing regional leadership in applied research, development and training in solar electricity generation technologies; 22 V OLUME 8: E XAMPLES OF S UCCESSFUL U SES OF R ENEWABLE E NERGY S OURCES IN THE S OUTH Chambouleyron, I. and Comedi, D. (2001). Amorphous silicon and germanium. In K.H.J. Buschow, R.W. Cahn, M.C. Flemings, B. Ilschner, . . .
. . .  can lead to changes in national legislation. Therefore, throughout the remainder of the project, the importance of raising and maintaining public awareness of the technologies was emphasized. I M PA C T It takes a long time for new ideas, concepts and technologies to have an impact on policies, but Brazilian policymakers are already well aware of the potential of solar energy. Today, several programmes are generating PV power in isolated communities, and solar electricity is on official agendas. Numerous institutions offer courses in solar energy, and journals are dedicated to the spread of solar technologies. When LPR started its first projects in 1979, Brazil had no experience of solar energy, so all of these new developments Photovoltaic capacity-building: Brazil 21 have taken just over 20 years to evolve. Recent data indicate that the solar systems installed in Brazil are generating peaks of more than five megawatts of power for rural homes, water pumps and street lighting. Solar electricity is improving the lives of thousands of families across the country. The successes of the laboratory have been acknowledged at several international events, including: the International Workshop on Mass Production of Photovoltaics: Commercialization and Policy Options, held in São Paulo (Brazil) in September 1991; the Workshop on Crystalline and Amorphous Silicon and Its Alloys, hosted by LPR in May 1992; the Workshop on Thin Films for Photovoltaic Applications, organized by LPR in February . . .
--3000,2,750,3170,19358