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From: donpat	2/23/2006 1:34:48 PM
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Claim Of Breakthrough In Photovoltaic Based Solar Energy Generation Fifteen months ago The University of Port Elizabeth, together with the University of Pretoria and the Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), announced a combined project of close to R20 million to address the urgent need for environmentally neutral, renewable energy sources. Part of the project involved work on an industrial method for producing copper-indium(gallium)-diselenide (CIGS) solar panels at very low cost. Now Prof Vivian Alberts of University of Johannesburg claims he can make solar panels that are around five microns thick - this compares to conventional photovoltaic devices that are 350 microns thick. He also says the cost of the technology is a fraction of that of less effective silicone solar panels. Unfortunately merely stating that a product is cheaper than ones that are not as good is no substitute for audited performance data – and at the time of writing this has not been forthcoming. The original project was based on predictions that CIGS panels could supply electricity at a cost of about 50c per kW-h - or possibly less. However this is still high compared with the cost of generating power with conventional devices and, depending on how durable and efficient the CIGS panels are, it is unclear that the $4/watt barrier has been broken. The project plans to put a full-scale commercial production plant into operation and two German based solar energy companies have shown strong interest in the technology. Apparently IFE Solar Systems, who have invested around R500-million in the technology, plans to start manufacturing panels in Europe later this year. If claims for the material are true the solar panels will be capable of generating a sensible amount of solar energy in Europe even during winter months. The technology is also aimed at power generation projects in rural areas. However there are several similar technologies appearing around the world – some developed by commercial companies and wrapped up tightly by patent lawyers. Anyone claiming to have thin film technology which is marginally different from one requiring a license to put into production can expect to have a queue of manufacturers outside their lab door – this situation may not last that long. carbonfree.co.uk

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