SESSA Applauds Queen’s Research Into Solar

The Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa (SESSA) has applauded two Queen's researchers who have made a significant breakthrough in solar technology.

The Canadian pair’s research has led to a new solar photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system that generates both electricity and heat. Solar PVTs are normally made with crystal silicon cells which generate electricity, but little heat.

Stephen Harrison and Joshua Pearce (Mechanical and Materials Engineering) designed and tested amorphous silicon cells in a PVT system. Their research shows increased heat generation because of higher operating temperatures and 10% more solar electric output.

According to the two, who are researchers at Queen’s University in Canada, amorphous silicon has several advantages over crystal silicon.

It requires less material, costs less to manufacture and offers a higher return on investment. The research also shows amorphous silicon solar cells can be made into thicker cells as long as they are operated at higher temperatures in the PVT system.

Commenting on the discovery, SESSA Ombudsman Carel Ballack said developed countries like Canada, where most citizens are connected to the grid but are committed to boosting their use of sustainable energy sources, are running into ‘roof real estate’ issues when users want to use solar energy for both their water heating and electricity requirements.

The system proposed by Harrison and Pearce could go a long way to solving those issues, he said.

For South Africa, where many more people live off-the-grid, such a system could – provided it was built for local conditions and was cost-effective – alleviate the hardships they bear while providing them with the energy they need to study or start a small business.

“For many South Africans, sustainable energy technologies are a lifeline, because they are not connected to the grid and rely on fossil fuels such as wood and coal for heat,” Ballack said.

“Low-cost low pressure solar water heaters have had major social benefits in many communities, and other sustainable energy solutions like biogas digesters are also making inroads in those that are far from the not-so-proverbial ‘over-worked grid’.

“I would image that a system like that proposed by the Queen’s pair would also find application in our rural communities.

“For urban users, many of whom who have yet to make the move to sustainable energy technologies, a two-in-one option may add impetus.”

SESSA has, since 1974, been dedicated to the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency including all solar-based energies such as photovoltaics, thermal heating and cooling, wind, biomass and hydro power.

It is the duly appointed African office of ISES and has a position on its board. The current SESSA representative is mechanical and mechatronic engineering specialist, Professor Wikus van Niekerk of Stellenbosch University.

SESSA’s objectives include:
· Promoting and increasing the use of renewable and energy efficient technologies with informal education, demonstration and information dissemination to end-users and decision makers of all levels;
· Establishing the society as the main regional information centre in close co-operation with similar initiatives;
· Facilitating the creation and maintenance of appropriate standards for products, systems, methods and training;
· Supporting initiatives that promote the creation of local ‘green-collar’ jobs and highlight green enterprise opportunities;
· Lobbying government, big business, civil society and parastatal organisations towards adopting a low carbon energy future.

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