New research lab for solar energy opened at Kjeller
King Harald V cuts the ribbon. Photo: IFE.no
The Norwegian Research Centre for Solar Cell was opened by King Harald V on Monday April 20.
On February 4, the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) received funding for the establishment of a Centre for Environment-friendly Energy Research (CEER) from the Research Council of Norway. The title of the Centre is “The Norwegian Research Centre for Solar Cell Technology”.
The Minister of Petroleum and Energy Terje Riis-Johansen announced the decisions regarding the CEERs during the “Energy week” in Oslo. IFE is also central in two other CEERs; the Research Centre for Offshore Wind Technology and Subsurface CO2 storage -Critical Elements and Superior Strategy (SUCCESS). In total, eight Centres for Environment-friendly Energy Research were appointed.
The new solar energy centre, located at the the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) at Kjeller, brings together the leading solar cell research community and the major solar cell companies in Norway. The collaborating parties are Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), SINTEF, University of Oslo, Elkem Solar, Fesil Sunergy, Hydro, Norsun, Prediktor, REC, Scatec, Solar Cell Repower and Umoe Solar.
"Research isn’t about knowing things, but imagining things. It’s not about luck," said Pynn (right) in his speech. Photo: IFE.no
The main goal is to provide current and future actors in the Norwegian solar cell industry access to state-of-the-art technological and scientific expertise. In this way, the Centre will contribute to maintain the leading position of the Norwegian solar cell industry in the international solar cell market, as well pave the way for this industry to grow into one of the most important on-shore industries nationally.
Gunnar Randers Research Prize
At the opening King Harald V also presented the “Gunnar Randers Research Prize” to the American Professor Roger Pynn, for his pioneer work in neutron scattering studies and uses in advanced materials science. Pynn is currently Professor at the Physics Department at Indiana University. A range of prominent guests from the Norwegian Parliament and from the research community in Norway attended the event.
The Prize is awarded by an international committee consisting of Nobel Prize Laureate Ivar Giæver, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University of Oslo, Professor David Sherrington, Oxford University, Professor Eivind Hiis Hauge, NTNU and Professor Arne Skjeltorp, Institute for Energy Technology (IFE).
Source: IFE.no
