Projects

There are several projects being conducted by solar energy researchers at the ANU. See Areas of Research for more information on research projects.

SLIVER Cells Project

SLIVER cells were developed at the ANU with funding assistance from commercial partner Origin Energy. Origin Energy is an energy supply company and has established a manufacturing plant in Adelaide, South Australia for the commercial production of solar modules made from SLIVER cells. Read more on this project under Areas of Research

See Origin Energy's web site for current status of their manufacturing plant.

Combined Heat and Power Solar System on Bruce Hall

The Combined Heat and Power Solar (CHAPS) system was first developed as a prototype system on the Faculties Teaching Centre at the ANU. The success of this enabled the ANU to enter into an agreement with Rheem Australia and the Australian Greenhouse Office for a demonstration system to be installed on the new Packard wing of Bruce Hall, a student accommodation facility on campus at the ANU. Read more on this project...

Asia-Pacific Partnership project

APP Project RDG-06-23. The aim of this three year project, which commenced February 2008, is to develop commercially competitive, improved linear CPV and CPVT systems. The technical goals are to reduce the cost, increase the efficiency, resolve the problem of moving shadows, and provide a solution to the problem of supply of high-performance, low-cost concentrator cells for low-cost trough CPV and CPVT systems.

The Asia-Pacific Partnership (APP) on Clean Development and Climate brings together partner nations to address the challenges of climate change, energy security, and air pollution in a way that encourages economic development and reduces poverty. Key outcomes of this Project include the commercialisation of the technology, and developing collaborative education and training opportunities between the Partner institutions. To this end, the Project includes an industry partner from the US and a university partner from China.

ARC Linkage Project

ARC Linkage Project LP0669751. The purpose of this three year project is to facilitate industry partnership on the development of PV concentrator receivers utilising commercial, non-concentrator solar cells, integration of the receivers into CPV and CPVT systems, and their subsequent commercialisation.

Nanophotonics for Solar Cells

Nanotechnology is the science of the small. It involves using new scientific understanding and new fabrication techniques to achieve much greater control over the properties of materials and devices. Nanotechnology has the potential to allow solar cells to be more efficient and thinner, both of which would make solar cells cheaper. In this project we are focusing on nanophotonics, that is, using nanotechnology to improve the optical properties of solar cells. Read more...