UNSW & REC Join Forces to Improve Solar Panel Efficiency

Keen to continue its ground breaking research into solar panel efficiency, the University of New South Wales (UNSW) has recently teamed up with solar giant REC.

Having already invented a process used to improve the efficiency of polycrystalline solar panels; this new relationship provides both partners with the perfect opportunity to drive innovation in the solar industry.

Thanks to UNSW’s Professor Stuart Wenham and his team’s ground breaking work the quality of silicon and its ability to generate electricity have already been improved. It’s all thanks to the discovery of how to control the charge state of hydrogen atoms in silicon.

As he puts it: "We have seen a 10,000 times improvement in the mobility of the hydrogen and we can control the hydrogen so it chemically bonds to defects and contaminants, making these inactive."

It’s clear solar companies aren’t the only ones taking note of this discovery, with Professor Wenham being awarded the prestigious Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) A F Harvey Engineering Research prize late last year.

The maximum efficiency of standard multi-crystalline silicon cells is currently around 17.5 – 18%. But the new partners are hoping that by fully developing the hydrogen passivation process, these levels can be improved to between 19 and 20%.

Excited by the opportunity to work with UNSW, REC President and CEO Oyvind Hasaas says: “By combining UNSW’s breakthrough technology with our strong background knowledge of multicrystalline silicon wafers and solar cells, we expect to be able to speed up the development of this new technology."

Like Professor Wenham, REC’s not prepared to rest on its laurels either. Thanks to continued cost reductions, increased brand popularity and a growth in sales; REC Solar ASA increased its solar panel production in Q4 2013 to 228 MW. This information is detailed in REC Solar ASA’s complete Q4 2013 financial results, released on 25 February 2014.

(REC was divided into separate Silicon and Solar divisions in late 2013. They’re listed on the Oslo stock exchange and are headquartered in Singapore)

Infinite Energy is based in Brisbane and Perth and is one of the largest installers of REC Solar panels in Australia and only certified Solar company certified under REC's "Solar Professional" Program.