Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc. and EPIR Technologies, Inc. have successfully demonstrated the optical down-conversion for increased solar cell energy efficiency. This proves to be a significant advancement for the maximization of solar cell efficiency and will play a distinctive role in the commercialization of the companies high-efficiency solar cells. Dr. Jacqueline Johnson completed the optical down-conversion during her employment at EPIR, under the direction of Dr. Paul E. Hausgen, for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate program.
Optical-down conversion enhances solar cell efficiency by exchanging the sun’s UV light into visible light, which can be used more effectively by the solar cell. The two companies showed the energy down-conversion in glass ceramic materials containing ultra-small crystalline particles (nanoparticles). The down conversion technology is well suited for nearly all types of rigid solar cells in today’s market.
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Dr. Johnson, now a professor at the University of Tennessee, said, “I believe EPIR is uniquely qualified to become the leader in the development of advanced solar cells due to their in-depth understanding of energy absorption in materials. Infrared technology and solar technology are very similar. EPIR President Dr. Siva Sivananthan has proved his excellence as a leader in infrared detection over the last 25 years, and development of solar cell technology is an incremental step in a new direction for EPIR.”
