By Nick Gilbert
The European Union has awarded 10 million euro to the Laboratory of Photovoltaics at the University of Luxembourg in order to develop technologies for manufacturing cheaper and more efficient solar cells.
Solar cells are the energy generators present inside the solar panels and have the potential to convert sun light into electrical energy, which is used in offices and homes. Manufacturing cost for solar cells is very high. Significant investment in alternative energy research is made by Europe in order minimize the use of oil and nuclear fuel. Europe may possibly become an international leader in this field, through its effort in the growth efficient solar panels.
The Scalenano project has been established by the Laboratory of Photovoltaics at the University of Luxembourg together with 13 academic and industry partners all over Europe. This is trans-national collaborative research project funded by European Commission. The research project will result in the shape of the future energy objectives and ensure sustainability in the coming years.
Advanced research tools will be employed by the Scalenano project group in Luxembourg, which is headed by Dr. Dale, in order to exclusively analyze the process enhancement of mixing and baking the chemicals to create essential solar cell materials, with the help of a quick thermal annealing furnace. Baking time as well as the energy required is less; hence the cost of solar cell manufacturing is reduced. This Scalenano project has commenced and will continue till 2015.
The project has aimed to minimize the manufacturing expenses of solar panels and is associated with the 20/20/20 target that was formed by the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan and European Commission. It receives the financial support from the European Commission Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) for Research and Technological Development.