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Despite Britain's weather, the sun always shines on PV

May 24, 2001

Contrary to popular opinion, Britain's weather is suited to solar power, say researchers at the University of Oxford. In an independent test of the leading types of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, they are finding out which types of solar panels work best in Britain's often dull and varied climate.

Solar photovoltaic (PVs) are one of the most promising techniques for producing 'green electricity' to offset carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels. Unlike other sources for renewable energy, such as wind or wave power, they are suitable for the urban environment and their modular design means they can be installed almost anywhere. However, there is a lack of knowledge of relative performance of solar panels in real-world conditions. Manufacturers rate panel performance in the laboratory, not in natural sunshine.

The Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, has received top-up funding from The BOC Foundation to enhance and extend its unique project to evaluate leading PV-technologies. This project is studying the performance of 11 leading commercial PV technologies on a roof in Oxfordshire, with an identical set-up in Mallorca, Spain.

Dr Kevin Lane, leading the project, says "It is a commonly held myth that photovoltaics are not suitable for the British climate - in truth, they have the potential to make a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Proof of the UK government's belief in this rapidly expanding market is Tony Blair's recent £100m government commitment to renewable technologies".

This project is assessing which are the better technologies for Britain's light levels - different PV technologies have different efficiencies depending on the light conditions. The eleven solar-arrays being tested cover the range of present panel-types that photo-chemically turn sunlight into electricity. Photovoltaics are made out of semiconducting materials such as silicon. When a photon of light strikes the photovoltaic module, its energy is transferred to an electron. When the electron flows around an electric circuit, it releases electrical energy to power lights and household appliances.

Sunlight on cloudy days has a different spectral composition to direct sunlight, being richer in the shorter blue wavelengths. Knowing which technologies have the best response to this bluer light is a central question to British solar power. The PV Compare project helps to direct the efforts of material scientists and manufacturers. This work will also provide valuable information for solar retailers and customers, aiding the development of a mass market for 'green' solar panels.

Oxford, University of

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