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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/D078431/1
Title: Fast Energy Rating for Photovoltaic Devices and Modules (FENRA)
Principal Investigator: Gottschalg, Professor R
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Dr TR Betts
Project Partners:
ICP Solar meteocontrol GmbH New & Renewable Energy Ctr NaREC
Research Centre Juelich Schott Solar GmbH
Department: Electronic, Electrical & Systems Enginee
Organisation: Loughborough University
Scheme: Standard Research
Starts: 01 April 2007 Ends: 31 March 2010 Value (£): 375,110
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Solar Technology
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Energy
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
A major problem for photovoltaics is the lack of a fast and accurate energy rating for new devices and modules. Currently, methods for predicting the energy yield for a given device are either too simplistic, especially with regard to emerging technologies, or long-measurement campaigns are required. This problem will be solved by developing an energy rating based on direct laboratory measurements and thus not be based on simplifications, reducing the time needed for realistic measurement campaigns from months to hours. At the heart of this method is a novel measurement apparatus, which will allow among other things the generation of variable irradiance spectra, closely matched to those experienced in real outdoor operation. A novel methodology will be developed to evaluate technologies currently at the development stage and an extensive validation of the approach will be carried out. Theoretical work will be undertaken to underpin the development of this new approach to energy rating of solar modules.
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Organisation Website: http://www.lboro.ac.uk