9514891 Vary This Americas Program award will leverage support from other sources for a joint planning workshop, on photovoltaic power generation, organized by Dr. James Vary, Iowa State University (ISU) and Dr. Ethelvina Escobar, University of El Salvador. The objective of the workshop is to initiate a long-term cooperative project in science education and research in alternative power sources between the two universities. The proposed project will team photovoltaics (PV's) specialists from ISU Microelectronics Research Center with Dr. Escobar's group in El Salvador. ISU has a group of scientists working both on the research and pilot production of photovoltaic devices. Dr. Escobar has already established an active program in the development of alternative energy sources for community development in El Salvador. Photovoltaics researchers from Mexico and Costa Rica will also participate in this workshop. The extension of research and technology in terrestrial PV's to third world countries is important if the technology is to make it into the market place, since emerging countries are likely to be its earliest users. This planning workshop will serve to bring together experts from the region to promote collaboration on photovoltaic devices, which may lead to the development of more efficient alternative energy sources. ***
