Overview of the US experience with photovoltaics in developing countries

Recent advances in photovoltaic technology, the result of a US Department of Energy program in partnership with industry, universities, and utilities, are described. An overview is given of the current and projected markets for photovoltaics. The discussion of the technology and markets sets the stage for the primary subject matter of the paper, which is the discussion of the US experience with photovoltaics in developing countries. Thousands of photovoltaic systems worldwide are providing reliable, cost-effective electrical energy in remote applications such as telecommunications, water pumping, and vaccine refrigeration. 16 refs., 12 figs., 2 tabs.