Solar Energy Laboratory

The Solar Energy Laboratory consists of three test facility areas; the synthesis, the electrical and the optical laboratory which support the development and enhancement of a wide range of solar technologies.

The synthesis laboratory facilities allow for solution and dispersion preparation, thin film preparation, materials processing, synthesis of metal nanoparticles (MNPs), luminescent down shifting layer (LDS) and luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) fabrication as well as phase change material (PCM) analysis. The laboratory is equipped with a range of sample preparation and analysis techniques including:

The lab is supported by a Trek High Voltage Power Supply of +/-10 kV can produce various forms of voltage signal in combination with function generator to create a high electric field. All the devices can be securely attached to the optical table for accurate measurements and data collection. The Newport optical table provides a vibration control platform that is used to support optics related experiments. The surface of the table is designed to remain rigid with minimum deflection so that the alignment of optical elements remains stable over time. Our mission is to research, develop and test various solar energy technologies for use in real world applications.