Solar pioneer calls for UK manufacturing support
A leading UK researcher and entrepreneur is calling for more support for solar technology in the UK.
Henry Snaith is Professor of Renewable Energy at Oxford University Physics Department and co-founder and chief scientific officer of spinout company Oxford PV. The company had to go to Germany to build the world’s first volume manufacturing line for ‘perovskite-on-silicon’ tandem solar cells.
“We originally looked at UK sites to start manufacturing but the government has yet to match the fiscal and commercial incentives on offer in other parts of Europe and the United States,” said Professor Snaith. “Thus far the UK has thought about solar energy purely in terms of building new solar farms, but the real growth will come from commercialising innovations – we very much hope that the newly-created British Energy will direct its attention to this.”
“Supplying these materials will be a fast-growth new industry in the global green economy and we have shown that the UK is innovating and leading the way scientifically. However, without new incentives and a better pathway to convert this innovation into manufacturing the UK will miss the opportunity to lead this new global industry,” he added.
- Oxford PV uses quantum computer to find new photovoltaic materials
- Record for commercial perovskite tandem solar cell
- Flexible multijunction solar cell loos to 45% efficiency
- UK manufacturing output plummets
The US government has started addressing the technology gap in solar cell production throough the Defense Production Act.
Oxford PV has launched a 60 cell residential-size module, produced with its perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar cells, with an efficiency of 26.9%, surpassing the current best silicon modules ~25% with a similar designated module area.
The breakthrough double-glass module, with a designated area just over 1.6 m2, weighs under 25 kg and is suitable for residential applications. The company produces the proprietary high efficiency tandem solar cells at its manufacturing facility in Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany, and uses both in-house and contract services for the module assembly.
“Oxford PV’s record-setting module represents a significant advancement for solar power generation. Homeowners along with commercial and utility customers will all benefit from upwards of 20% more power with the same footprint. Not only does this save installation costs, it also speeds up the decarbonisation journey and can contribute to the global energy transition in a meaningful way,” said David Ward, CEO of Oxford PV.
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
