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A SOLAR energy project led by Wrexham’s Glyndwr University could bring affordable renewable energy to thousands of homes and create more than 50 new jobs.
The university’s Centre for Solar Energy Research (CSER) is behind the £4.4m, three-year scheme, and will be collaborating with scientists from Bangor and Swansea universities.
The research is part of the Solar Photovoltaic Academic Research Consortium Cymru (SPARC Cymru).
It will develop new technologies and innovations which will help solar cells collect more energy from weather conditions.
Professor Stuart Irvine, director of CSER, said: “This is very much a collaborative project, with our expertise in solar energy being combined with the electronics technology expertise of Swansea University in improving efficiency when converting the energy into electricity which can be used on the National Grid. The project also combines our thin film technology with innovative dye sensitised solar cells with researchers at Bangor and Swansea Universities”.
“We have world class facilities in St Asaph with the capability to see everything through from initial research to the production of small thin film solar cell modules. The aim is to take us much closer to a size of solar cell which can be used commercially to provide the future electricity needs of Wales.”
Announcement of the SPARC project comes as the Low Carbon Research Institute (LCRI), a pan Wales group tasked with shaping the future of energy research in Wales, recently held its annual conference in Cardiff.
The LCRI, which is led by Cardiff University and includes partners Glyndwr, Bangor, Swansea, Glamorgan and Aberystwyth universities, was recently awarded £15.3m from the Welsh European Funding Office.