Friday 23 Oktober 2009, 15:30h, at Nikhef in H331
Speaker: Wim Sinke, Energy research Centre of the Netherlands ECN, Utrecht University & European Photovoltaic Technology Platform
Title: Setting the pace of the solar age. The silent revolution of photovoltaic solar energy
Abstract:
Sunlight forms the basis of almost all renewable energy sources. It can be used directly, to generate electricity, heat, and eventually also fuels, or indirectly, in the form of wind energy, biomass, hydropower, and many more. Photovoltaic conversion of sunlight into electricity (PV) is a particularly elegant option, with potential for very high efficiencies and low cost and with a wide range of application possibilities. Therefore it may not come as a surprise that the global PV market is booming and that many scientists, engineers and companies move into this area. Although PV may be considered a proven and rather mature technology, very large scale (multi-terawatt) implementation requires ambitious further development or even “disruptive†approaches. This presentation will provide a brief overview of the history, state-of-the-art and possible future of PV, in terms of conversion processes and device concepts, technology families, economic and sustainability aspects and applications.