Mar 23 2010
The sixth Photovoltaic Science Application and Technology Conference (PVSAT-6) will be hosted by the University of Southampton’s School of Electronics and Computer Science this week.
PVSAT-6, which will be held from the 24-26 March 2010 at Chilworth Manor at the University of Southampton’s Science Park, will showcase UK and international developments in photovoltaics and illustrate how solar energy is rapidly becoming as cost effective as grid electricity.
A full and varied programme is promised. Invited speakers include Wim Sinke, ECN, The Netherlands, Chris Wronski, Pennsylvania State University, Ayodhya Tiwari, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Thomas Hoffman, Centrosolar Glas, Germany, Ray Noble, Renewable Energy Association, Darren Bagnall, University of Southampton and Alan Turner of Solarbuzz.
Event organiser, Professor Darren Bagnall at the University of Southampton’s Nano Research Group, said: “This is an important time for the photovoltaics industry. It has always been an excellent low-carbon method of electricity production, but now, solar energy is rapidly approaching the point where it can compete with grid electricity. “
In his talk on Photonics and thin film silicon technologies on 26 March, Professor Bagnall will illustrate how new light-trapping technologies can be used to reduce the thickness of semiconductor materials needed in solar panels, which would directly reduce the cost even further.
The University of Southampton has established a leading international position in photovoltaics and is home to the Southampton Nanofabrication Centre, the Optoelectronics Research Centre and the Sustainable Energy Research Group.