Silicon efficiency breakthrough awarded UK research prize

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

An Australian engineer has been awarded £300,000 (US$493,000) by the UK's Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) for his work on increasing the efficiency of solar PV whilst lowering costs.

Professor Stuart Wenham from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) was awarded the prestigious A F Harvey Engineering Research Prize after he created a mechanism for controlling hydrogen atoms.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The mechanism allows the team to correct deficiencies in silicon – the most expensive component of a solar cell. By correcting deficiencies, lower quality silicon is able to outperform solar cells that have been made from higher quality materials.

Last week the university announced a five-year R&D partnership with China Sunergy.

Commenting on the award, Professor Wenham said: “It is a great honour to receive the A F Harvey Engineering Prize and the international recognition that it brings to our breakthrough technology.

“Our research team at UNSW, which holds the world record in silicon solar cell efficiency, has discovered how to control the charge state of hydrogen atoms in silicon and we will be working with the world’s biggest manufacturers to commercialise this low-cost technology. This generous prize will go a long way to helping us take this research to the next stage.”

IET president, Barry Brooks, added: “Professor Wenham has played a pivotal role in the wide scale development of silicon solar cell technology. His pioneering research and internationally recognised leadership in the field have enabled commercial exploitation of the technology for the benefit of the global community seeking renewable energy solutions at affordable prices. He is a truly deserving recipient of the IET A F Harvey Engineering Prize and an inspiration to all engineers.”

To commemorate the award, Professor Wenham will be delivering a special lecture on future trends in photovoltaic technology and applications in London on 21 May 2014.

Read Next

June 3, 2025
US independent power producer (IPP) Silicon Ranch has invested US$3 million in autonomous robotics company Swap Robotics.
June 3, 2025
A joint venture featuring global oil major bp will begin construction on a 240MW solar PV project in Azerbaijan.
June 3, 2025
US capital infrastructure investor NextEra Energy Resources has commissioned its first 100MW utility-scale Amite Solar facility in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana.
June 3, 2025
Danish renewables firm European Energy has secured a €145 million (US$158 million) long-term loan to finance a 78.5MW solar park co-located with a 50MW battery storage plant in Anykščiai, Lithuania.
June 3, 2025
The US Department of Energy budget proposal promises to remove funding for solar and wind energy and expand support for nuclear weapons.
Sponsored
June 3, 2025
Tongwei Solar talks innovation, growth, sustainability and future technologies in the global solar PV sector.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
June 17, 2025
Napa, USA
Upcoming Webinars
June 30, 2025
10am PST / 6pm BST
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 8, 2025
Asia