Funding received to enhance concentrator solar efficiency
Exciton Science Associate Investigator Nicholas Ekins-Daukes was among the recipients of an ARC Linkage Projects grant to investigate advanced metallisation for III-V photovoltaic solar power systems.
Working together with Dr John Lasich of RayGen Resources, the project aims to augment the overall electrical efficiency of concentrator photovoltaic solar systems that provide large-scale generation of cheap, clean electricity.
Existing concentrator solar cells are highly efficient, but their performance is hampered by thick front-metal contacts that shade the cell.
The project is expected to develop a new concentrator solar cell metalisation and insulation technology.
The benefit of the project will be a direct increase in the system efficiency and simplified manufacturing of the concentrator solar receiver, which in turn reduces the cost of the concentrator power plant constructed by RayGen.
The project received AU$460,485 in funding.