CSEM unveils new facilities at its solar PV center

On May 19^th, 2016 CSEM, the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology, has unveiled the new facilities at its PV-Center. The existing infrastructures have been extended with a cleanroom, module testing, and production laboratories covering over a thousand square meters.

This will allow researchers to continue the work begun three years ago and explore different avenues to develop solar energy for the benefit of the economy and society.

A number of personalities from the energy sector came to look around CSEM’s new photovoltaic (PV) facilities in Neuchâtel.

The addition of the 500 m² clean room and the 600 m² PV module testing and production laboratories means that the PV-Center is now fully operational.

The Center provides an extraordinary environment for the 50 people who work there. They benefit from optimal working conditions in which to improve and test the various photovoltaic technologies and expand their scope of applications.

Firmly industry-focused

“These new infrastructures are unique in Switzerland. With them, we will be able to help Swiss companies increase their competitiveness,” explains Christophe Ballif, PV-Center Director.

“Although solar energy is enjoying rapid growth, it is still far from being used to its full potential – in association with everyday objects, for example.”

The PV-Center was inaugurated three years ago and has rapidly forged itself a reputation that reaches beyond Swiss borders. It works to improve the performance of silicon cells using heterojunction technology (HJT) and has developed white and colored panels, a world first that has been a hit with architects.

Helping Switzerland reach its energy goals

“In the array of technologies developed by CSEM, photovoltaics are given special focus,” says Mario El-Khoury, CSEM's CEO.

“As this becomes more widespread, the world can dream of a cleaner future, where quality of life is maintained. This aspiration is a core value for our company.”

The work of Christophe Ballif and his team aims to boost the appeal of solar energy, an undertaking that will help the Swiss Confederation hit its energy targets. The Federal Council fully appreciates this, which is why it provides the Center with financial support.

The Center works with a range of industries and research laboratories in Switzerland – including the EPFL (the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne) photovoltaic laboratory in Neuchâtel, known as the PV-Lab. 

source:http://www.solarserver.com