Welcome to the 39th IEEE PV Specialists Conference, the pre-eminent global technical conference in photovoltaics that is sponsored by the world's largest professional association for the advancement of technology, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. The 39th PVSC comes at a very exciting time in the evolution of the PV industry. Installations in the Americas grew by more than 120% in the first half of this year, helping global installation to exceed 13 GW in the first half of this year. However, dramatic shifts in the world-wide market continue to make it anyone's guess what the future will hold from both technological and business perspectives.

The one constant is that the PVSC will continue to be the showcase for the technological and manufacturing advances that is the driving force behind this development. Its ten topical technical focus areas range across fundamentals, characterization, new concepts, all of the major commercial and next generation technologies, space and terrestrial applications, and policy and finance developments. In addition, we will be adding a new area devoted to the science PV reliability.

The highest quality papers presented at the PVSC will be eligible for inclusion in the IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, a newly commissioned, peer-reviewed, archival publication reporting original and significant research results that advance the field of photovoltaics.

This year's conference will be help in the state-of-the-art 600,000-square-foot Tampa Convention and Exhibition Center, whose sparkling waterfront vistas bring the warmth and light of Florida sunshine right into the meeting rooms. Completing this spectacular venue are cafes, restaurants, waterfront gathering areas and spectacular first-class accommodations all within walking distance.

Tampa Bay also offers Florida's largest variety of destination offerings. In fact, you may want to arrive early or stay a few days after the conference enjoy all the wonderful things Florida has to offer you and your family. Mild Tampa weather allows for year-round enjoyment of Tampa Bay beaches, attractions like Busch Gardens, Disneyworld, and Universal Studios, sports and more.

So please make plans to join me and thousands of the world's leading scientists and engineers, policy-makers and financiers, exhibitors and students at this time of massive transformation of the PV industry.

Dr. Ryne P. Raffaelle
Vice President, Rochester Institute of Technology
Conference General Chairperson