Technology and R&D

The University of New South Wales’ (UNSW) Photovoltaic Centre of Excellence is reportedly being forced to close its doors after Australia’s Labor government stopped its funding, as part of the party’s proposed cuts to finance a “cash-for-clunkers” low-emissions car program, the Greens say.

Propelled by aggressive research and development (R&D) activities, third generation photovoltaics (PVs) are poised to take a huge leap forward, says Frost & Sullivan in a new analysis. The exploratory mass production of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC)-powered consumer durables is likely to alter the future course of research in this segment, says the company.

Solarmer Energy, Inc. has recently achieved a new world record of 8.13 percent for its organic photovoltaic (OPV) cell efficiency, which has been certified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Pacific Blue Energy Corp. (PBEC) has announced it is preparing to begin the permitting process for 100 acres in Gila Bend, Arizona, the U.S., the purchase of which should be completed in the near future. As a result of the town’s solar overlay policy and strong support from town officials and staff, the company says it is on track to have the first phase of its 150 megawatt (MW) solar farm approved in two to four months, as opposed to the typical time frame of two years.

Purdue University, based in the U.S. is to lead a new research center to improve photovoltaic (PV) solar cells as part of a national effort to bring alternative energy technologies to the marketplace. Boosted by USD$5 million in funding from the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC), a university-research consortium for semiconductors and related technologies, the research initiative is set to team companies with university research centers to work on alternative energy technologies.

Microsemi Corporation and Germany-based Spelsberg, in conjunction with its partner, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, have announced the development of a disruptive new technology for photovoltaic (PV) solar modules. The technology was demonstrated at this year’s Intersolar North America, held in San Francisco, the U.S.

The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) is currently in Japan along with 18 utility executives and managers, as part of its third annual Solar Fact Finding Mission, which takes place from 25 to 30 of this month.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has presented a South Dakota State University researcher with a grant of USD$400,000 — USD$80,000 per year for the next five years, in order to build new high-performance organic solar cells with increased efficiency.

Sunfilm AG has announced it has set a world record of 9.6 percent total area efficiency for a thin film tandem junction silicon solar module of 2.6 meters x 2.2 meters. The record module, Model F, achieved a maximum stabilized output power of 546 Wp, says the company.

Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited has signed a technology, research and production collaboration agreement with Innovalight, Inc. under which they will attempt to raise the average efficiency of the multicrystalline cells produced on its commercial production lines.