SUPERSOLAR Solar Energy Hub

Completed

Renewable Energy Sources(Solar Energy, Photovoltaics)

Basic and strategic applied research

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry)
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Physics)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Professor J Walls
Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Loughborough University

Standard

EPSRC

01 May 2012

31 October 2017

66 months

£4,088,360

Energy

East Midlands

Energy : Energy

Professor J Walls, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Loughborough University

Dr D Bagnall, Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton
Dr A R Buckley, Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield
Dr K Durose, Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy, University of Liverpool
Dr R Gottschalg, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Loughborough University
Dr MS Hill, Chemistry, University of Bath
Professor DG Lidzey, Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield
Dr hjs Snaith, Oxford Physics, University of Oxford
Dr AB Walker, Physics, University of Bath
Dr A Walsh, Chemistry, University of Bath

Project Contact, GE Global Research, USA
Project Contact, World Gold Council
Project Contact, Johnson Matthey Technology Centre
Project Contact, Rank Taylor Hobson Ltd
Project Contact, Pilkington Technical Centre
Project Contact, Teer Coatings Ltd
Project Contact, M-Solv Ltd
Project Contact, PCS Instruments
Project Contact, Gencoa Ltd

The market for photovoltaic (PV) solar modules is experiencing astonishing growth due to increasing energy demand, security of supply issues, increasing cost of fossil fuels and concerns over global warming. The world market for photovoltaics grew by 139% to 21GW in 2010. Although this extraordinary pace of growth is unlikely to be maintained in the short term it will advance rapidly again at the point where grid parity is achieved. It is important that the UK retains a strong research presence in this important technology. It is proposed that the SUPERSOLAR Hub of Universities be set up to co-ordinate research activities, establish a network of academic and industrial researchers, conduct cross-technology research and provide a focus for international co-operation. SUPERSOLAR is led by CREST at Loughborough University and supported by the Universities of Bath, Liverpool, Oxford, Sheffield and Southampton. This group is active in all of the PV technologies including new materials, thin film chalcopyrite, c-Si, thin film a-Si, dye sensitised solar cells, organic PV, concentrator PV, PV systems performance and testing. SUPERSOLAR will set up a solar cell efficiency measurement facility for the benefit of the PV community in the UK. The consortium contains a deliberate balance of expertise, with no bias towards any one technology

02/07/12