News about Solar, Wind and alternative green power technologies

In Norway approximately 0.4 percent of its electric grid is powered by solar cells. Nowadays, modern solar cell technology can reach an annual capacity of 120 TWh in the country. This shows the pertinence of the renewable and inexhaustible source of energy derived from the sun. Solar cells could be used to provide all the necessary electricity required for a country. The only hurdle is to find efficient ways to store the energy for usage during times where there is no sun shine like nights and cloudy days.

Solar energy does only represent a small part of global electricity production. However, in rural areas where the cost of connection to the national grid is expensive solar cells is an ideal option. For instance, in Norway, solar panels are used in cabins. The utilisation of solar panels for cabins located in remote areas has been practices for more than 20 years in Norway. Yet, the cost of solar cells is relatively high and the industry is struggling to bring prices down. In 2009, there was a radical emphasis on reducing cost, and a 1$ per installed watt was reaped. There are predictions that photovoltaic solar cells will take until year 2030 to reach as attracting and competitive prices as fossil fuel.

Norway is a large producer of solar cells. It is also amidst the world’s leading manufacturers of silicon, which is the prime component need to develop solar cells. The Norwegian industry has extensive expertise in wafers for electronic apparatus and silicon for solar cells. An example is REC Wafer, which is a leading producer of wafers for solar cells. Furthermore, ELKEM, which is well known to be the world’s best manufacturer of pure silicon. Another company involved in the Norwegian value chain in producing solar cells is “Renewable Energy Corporation (REC)”. They are involved in the process from prime materials until the completion of solar modules.

Extensive research has been carried out by “NTNU” and “IFE” on how to reduce the cost of producing solar cells or how to improve the efficiency of them. There are manifold options that have been envisaged but the key lies in using the materials more efficiently. This is the unique option to reduce the investment cost of the solar cells.

NTNU, SINTEF and IFE are increasingly researching in means to improve the production of solar cells. There are intense tests being conducted in Trondheim laboratories to scrutinize whether a better and cheaper process to manufacture solar silicon, wafers and other materials used in the production of solar cells can be introduced. There is even a focus on recycling silicon, being examined in the laboratory.

Apart from improving actual process and systems, innovative solar cells are also being proposed. There are several researchers working on creating thin films of solar cells usually referred to as nanosolar cells. These are solar cells that are much more advanced than the contemporary ones in use.

Moreover, IFE did in 2009 inaugurate a new solar cell laboratory. The laboratory is comprised of an essential production line required to produce wafers based solar cells and develop thin film technology. IFE is also engaging in numbers of other projects associated with solar cell research.

The most interesting field that IFE is committed to, is the production of third generation of solar cells. This involves the development of ultra-thin solar cells, similarly to NTNU and SINTEF.

Source: Norway Energy

Secondary Sources:
1. NTNU
2. IFE
3. REC