Advances in solar technology bodes well for efficiency and price

by Rich Bowden - Aug 21 2009, 04:34

A joint scientific project between researchers at the Australian National University and Tianjin University in China may result in more efficient and cheaper solar cells being made available to consumers.

The two-and-a-half year breakthrough project in the storage of solar energy was made possible by the combination of the strengths of both universities, said Professor Blakers, Director of the ARC Centre for Solar Energy Systems at ANU.

“We have assembled an excellent project team, led by Dr Vernie Everett. The project will benefit from ANU expertise in building cost-effective solar cells, and Tianjin University’s capabilities in chemical engineering,” he said in an ANU news release.

The research heralds a "new generation of efficient and cheap solar concentrator receivers which provided both heating and power to users," according to the university and is achieved by immersing the solar cells in a cooling fluid.

Researchers claim the breakthrough method will result in up to 70 per cent efficient combined heat - and power - solar concentrators employing highly efficient and cost-effective solar cells.

The team have said they have already received considerable interest from consumers and businesses.

“Simultaneous provision of heat and electrical power is an attractive feature of our concentrators,” said the ANU's Dr Igor Skryabin. “This is in high demand for both residential and commercial customers. We are receiving inquiries from willing customers in Australia and overseas almost daily.”

Professor Yiping Wang, Director of the Green Technology Centre at Tianjin University said the new solar receivers were versatile.

“With growing support of our Government and industries the new solar receivers will be beneficial for both residential and large scale energy generation in China,” said Professor Wang.

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