Research

When it comes to converting solar energy (sunlight) to electricity the silicon cell has one major limitation – it utilises only 40 % of the total energy available from sunlight.

Studying the flow-patterns of steam-water mixtures in order to overcome problems of instability, will help to increase the efficiency of solar power plants.

Induce efficient charge separation (within a certain material) by light.

Nanowires formed at the solution-substrate interface using the Markovich technique could be used as a semi-conductive layer in PV cells as well as in various other applications.

Concentrating Photovoltaic (CPV) systems can produce both heat and electrical power from solar radiation, at a combined efficiency exceeding 70%.

Thermionic conversion of concentrated solar radiation at 800-1000°C, using innovative materials and heat recovery, can generate electricity and heat at high overall efficiencies.

Optically selective composite materials for high-temperature solar absorbers in solar thermal electricity generation, will lead to higher conversion efficiencies.

An innovative heat transfer method for thermal storage in solar thermal power plants based on a steam cycle, will allow long-term operation at high efficiencies.

Large quantities of drinking water can be disinfected quickly and cheaply by combining solar heating and ultra-violet irradiation

Power Plants” Based on Bacteria Could Be Cheaper Than Today’s Solar Energy Technology

PV cells can achieve higher efficiencies under concentrated sunlight with vertical multi-junction structure, producing high voltage and low current.

Advanced modelling and experimental validation is required for improving and optimising the performance of the PETE converter. This would result in a dramatical increase in energy conversion efficiencies in combined cycles with a heat engine.