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School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering

The School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering is internationally recognised for its research in the area of photovoltaics, most of which is now conducted under the ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Silicon Photovoltaics and Photonics. It was also the first organisation internationally to offer undergraduate training in the area of Photovoltaics and Solar Energy, and since then has extended the educational programs offered to include postgraduate and research training opportunities.

Announcements

 

Professor Stuart Wenham: Trends in PV Manufacturing

Professor Stuart Wenham's lecture on Trends in
Photovoltaic Manufacturing

21 April 2011

Professor Stuart Wenham is the Director of Research at the ARC Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence at UNSW. His presentation on manufacturing trends was given on 21 April 2011 and is now available for viewing. Click here to view the presentation (1 hour 55 min).

 

Professor Allen Barnett joins SPREE

Professor Allen Barnett

19 April 2011

Professor Allen Barnett has joined the UNSW School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering. “We are very proud that Professor Barnett has joined our team,” said Dr Richard Corkish, Head of School. “Professor Barnett is world renowned for his work in photovoltaics and will be valuable addition to our research group.”

 

Minister, Vice Chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission visits SPREE

1st Image: Dr Richard Corkish, Head of School leading the ministerial party
2nd Image: Dr Richard Corkish (left); Minister Zhenhua Xie, PRC (right)

31 March 2011

The Minister, Vice Chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission, Zhenhua Xie visited SPREE for a meeting with Dr Richard Corkish, Head of School. The meeting finished with a tour through SPREE's Labs. "The manufacture of photovoltaic technology as well as the energy generated by the implementation of photovoltaics is of great importance world-wide. It was a privilege to discuss its role as a technology with the Minister," said Dr Corkish.

 

Chinese Minister of Science and Technology visits SPREE

1st Image (left to right): Dr Richard Corkish, Head of School; Minister Wan Gang, PRC; Scientia Professor Martin Green
2nd Image (left to right): Minister Wan Gang, PRC; Hai Xiang Zhang; Xiao Bo
3rd Imange (left to right): Daryl Wang, Minister Wang Gang, PRC; Ziheng Liu

21 March 2011

The Chinese Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Wan Gang, visited the UNSW SPREE Photovoltaics Labs. "It was a wonderful honour and a great pleasure for us to show the minister trough our laboratory facilities,” said Dr Richard Corkish, Head of School. “It was especially significant to many of our Chinese PhD students who were able to meet and speak with the minister.”

 

UNSW SPREE Students Bai Xue and Eleanor Wood win University Medals

Left: Graduation at UNSW - Middle: Prof Stuart Wenham (left) and Bai Xue (right) - Right: Rhodes Scholar Alice Lang (left) and Eleanor Wood (right)

8 March 2011

The School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering would like to congratulate Bai Xue and Eleanor Wood for each winning The University Medal - UNSW's award for the highest academic achievement in the graduating cohort.

 

Baroness Dr Mary Archer visits UNSW SPREE Labs

Baroness Dr Mary Archer in SPREE Labs

28 February 2011

Baroness Dr Mary Archer, specialist in solar power conversion, visited SPREE and the Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence. While here, the Centre’s Deputy Directors gave presentations in the research strands ranging from incremental efficiency improvements in commercial technology to 3rd Generation PV theory and its implementation.

 

UNSW SPREE Welcomes New Students

UNSW SPREE's New Students for 2011. Centre: A/Prof Alistair Sproul (left), Dr Richard Corkish, Head of School (right)

24 February 2011

Head of School, Dr Richard Corkish (right) and A/Prof Alistair Sproul (left) introduced this year’s new students to the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering staff and resources. “The Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy industries are growing so rapidly that there is now a tremendous shortage of engineers trained specifically for these areas.”, said Dr Corkish, “These new students are going have skills that match industry’s needs and as new engineers they will have excellent worldwide career prospects."

 

Darcy & Patricia Wentworth Donation

Left to right: Darcy Wentworth, Dr Richard Corkish

20 February 2011

“The School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering is grateful to Darcy and Patricia Wentworth for their donation,” said Dr Richard Corkish, Head of School.  “This funding will be used to assist the more complex of the 2nd and 4th year student projects.”   

 

ARC Fellowships

18 February 2011

ARC Future Fellowships Scheme for funding commencing in 2011 - Funding Rules Released The ARC have released the funding rules for the 2011 Future Fellowships Scheme. The rules are available on the ARC website at http://www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/futurefel/future_default.htm The closing date for submission of Proposals is 5:00pm (AEST), Wednesday 20 April 2011, with a Grants Management Office (GMO) internal closing date of Wednesday 30 March 2011. The RMS online application form is not yet available but we will provide further notification when the scheme opens and other relevant documentation becomes available. The Research Strategy Office (RSO) and the GMO will provide information in the coming days via the FT11 Alerts on significant changes to the funding rules, the process for applying, RSO support and training as well as the Institutional requirements. A FT11 Resource Page will be set-up on the GMO Website containing all relevant information in one easy to access location. If you have any questions regarding the Future Fellowships scheme, please email the GMO on mygrants.gmo@unsw.edu.au

 

Dr Zhenrong Shi, CEO of Suntech Power Gives Talk at SPREE

Dr Zhengrong Shi's video presentation

13 January 2011

Dr Zhengrong Shi is an alumnus of UNSW and is the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Suntech Power. His presentation was to the staff and students of the UNSW School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering on 15 December 2010. The presentation to SPREE staff and students covered Dr Shi's personal history, his photovoltaic technologies and his vision for the world. Click here to view the presentation.

 

Rhodes Scholarship Awarded to SPREE Student

Alice Lang ~ Rhodes Scholarship

21 December 2010

SPREE student, Alice Lang, has been awarded a Rhodes Scholarship. “Alice has really worked hard in the Bachelor of Engineering in Photovoltaics and Solar Energy Engineering degree program and it is a real pleasure to see her rewarded like this.” said Dr Richard Corkish, Head of School. “The engineering degrees that we offer attract some fantastic students. This Rhodes Scholarship couldn’t have gone to a more capable and deserving student.” To read the UNSW press release, click here.

 

Australia's 3rd Largest Photovoltaic System

Sydney Theatre Company's Warf Theatre's PV Array (Dr Richard Corkish far left) (AAP Photo)

29 November 2010

Australia’s 3rd largest photovoltaic system, comprised of 1,906 Suntech Pluto PV modules, has been commissioned at the Sydney Theatre Company’s Warf Theatre. “About 70% of the Theatre Company’s energy will be supplied by this array”, said Dr Richard Corkish, Head of School. “This will reduce CO2 emissions by about 500 tonnes per year”. The Pluto technology was designed by UNSW and is now manufactured by Suntech Power. A$2 million of project funding was provided by Dr Shi, CEO of Suntech and alumnus of UNSW. An additional A$1.2 million of funding was provided by the Federal Government. Click here to see more photos from the AAP image website and here to read more from the Sydney Morning Herald (with video).

Australian Research Council Fellowship Announced

Dr Evatt Hawke

19 November 2010

Dr Evatt Hawke has been awarded a four year ARC Fellowship to allow him to carry out “Research of National Significance”. His focus is in Accelerating clean automotive innovation: fundamental insights into alternative fuel combustion. This is to achieve the maximum efficiency from alternatively fuelled engines, better understanding and predictive models are needed for the major limiting factor in spark-ignition engine efficiency: knock. The project will address this gap, thereby accelerating development of better engines and strengthening national capacity in clean engine technology. Click here to go to Dr Hawke’s staff page.

 

Engineers Australia Accredits the UNSW BE in Renewable Energy Engineering

19 November 2010

Engineers Australia has announced the successful accreditation of the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering’s Bachelor of Engineering in Renewable Energy Engineering. “All of UNSW’s engineering courses are periodically reviewed by Engineers Australia.”, said Dr Richard Corkish, Head of School. “Professional accreditation is a public assurance that education programs meet international industry standards, thereby ensuring that qualifications are recognised in other countries and graduates are able to pursue international careers.”

 

UNSW SPREE 4th Year Thesis Students

Seventy SPREE students illustrate their final year projects

22 October 2010

Seventy SPREE students illustrated their final year thesis work in what will be largest of the school's graduating classes. "It is always a pleasure to see the outcome of all of the student's hard work", said Dr Richard Corkish, Head of School. "Industry will certainly have a good selection of young engineers come the end of the year". The 4th year thesis is a major hands-on project taking a year to complete.

 

Australia's 3rd Largest System: Sydney Theatre Company's Warf Theatre

Construction underway on the Wharf Theatre roof, partly funded by The Shi’s Family Charitable Foundation via SPREE ~ Photos: Sue Murray, Imagine It

11 October 2010

The Sydney Theatre Company has started construction of what will be Australia's 3rd largest photovoltaic system. "This installation uses UNSW designed Pluto technology manufactured by Suntech Power.”, said Dr Richard Corkish, Head of School, “This project has been made possible by a A$2 million donation provided by Dr Shi and his family. “ Dr Shi is CEO of Suntech Power and is an alumnus of the UNSW. For more information click SydneyTheatre.com.au or Inhabitat.com and for information about Pluto Technology click suntech-power.com.

New Photovoltaic Sculpture tells mood of city

Olympic Park's Thunderbolt shows Sydney's energy usage

23 September 2010

Artist Bonita Ely from the UNSW College of Fine Arts has opened her photovoltaic powered sculpture Thunderbolt at Jacaranda Square, Sydney Olympic Park. This work was commissioned by the Sydney Olympic Park Authority. “This is the only one of its kind in the world.” said Bonita Ely, “The city’s energy usage data is provided by EnergyAustralia and that data is converted into colour. It literally shows the mood of the city.” The system is completely solar powered including all of the computing and data transfer. Two SPREE members, Bany Jaya and Rob Largent helped in the construction of the artwork. For more information click here.

 

Two honoured with Engineers Australia Awards

Prof. Stuart Wenham (left), Dr Richard Corkish (head of school) accepting award on behalf of Chris McGrath (right)

17 September 2010

UNSW solar energy pioneer Scientia Professor Stuart Wenham has been named Professional Engineer of the Year by the Sydney Division of Australia's peak engineering body, Engineers Australia and Chris McGrath, a graduate from the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, has won the Student Engineer of the Year Award at the Sydney Division's Engineering Excellence Awards. Click here to read more.

 

UNSW Inventor of the Year Winners Announced

Dr Thorsten Trupke (left), Dr Henner Kampwerth (right)

2 September 2010

Two of the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering's solar cell scientists have won the UNSW Inventor of the Year. Thorsten Trupke has won the 2010 UNSW Inventor of the Year Award and Henner Kampwerth has won the UNSW Student Inventor of the Year Award: both for their contributions in photoluminescence testing. Click here to learn more about Dr Trupke's award and here to learn more about Dr Kampwerth's award.

 

Solar scientist wins prestigious Eureka prize

Professor Martin Green

18 August 2010

Excerpt from the ABC News Website: "A man regarded as a world leader in solar technology has received this year's leadership prize at the Eureka Awards, the most prestigious awards in Australian science. Professor Martin Green works at the University of New South Wales, and has been involved in solar cell development over the past 30 years." Click here to go directly to the ABC News website. Click here to go directly to the Eureka Prize web site.

 

Berthold Leibinger Innovationspreis honours UNSW scientists

Left to Right: Dr Thorsten Trupke, Dr Robert Bardos

19 July 2010

The Berthold Leibinger Innovationspreis honours scientists and developers who make advancements in the field of laser technology. Since 2000, the Berthold Leibinger Stiftung has given the award every two years for excellent research and development work on the application or generation of laser light (click here to go to the award website). The 2010 winners, from the UNSW School of Photovoltaics and Renewable Energy Engineering, are Dr Thorsten Trupke and Dr Robert Bardos for their contribution to science in the area of Laser Based Luminescence Imaging of Silicon Bricks, Wafers and Solar Cells. These two scientists started the spin-off company BT Imaging (click here to go to the BT Imaging website) and now offer in-line rapid photoluminescence testing for large scale photovoltaic manufacture.

 

Work Starts on Two New Solar/Energy Buildings on Campus

11 June 2010

Work has begun on two new buildings specially designed for Photovoltaics and Clean Energy groups. The Solar Industrial Research Facility (SIRF) and the Tyree Energy Technologies Building (TETB)

From SIRF Website: "UNSW through its ARC Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence and as a founding member of the Australian Solar Institute, is a world leader in photovoltaic research. UNSW will further advance solar photovoltaic technology by undertaking its research within a production line manufacturing environment, by establishing a pilot line for the manufacture of silicon solar cells. The facility known as the Solar Industrial Research Facility (SIRF) will allow UNSW to showcase its leading research capabilities to the commercial world." Click here to go to the SIRF Website and here and here to view webcams of the work.

From the TETB Website: "The Tyree Energy Technologies Building (TETB) will accommodate and showcase state-of-the-art and leading edge research in clean energy including photo-voltaics, carbon capture and storage. The Project is an initiative of the Australian Government being conducted as part of the Education Investment Fund, and has received Government funding of $75 million." Click here to go to the TEBT Website and here and here to view webcams of the work.

 

Australian Research Council's Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence, UNSW, Annual Report 2009

27 May 2009

The ARC Photovoltaics Center of Excellence Annual Report 2009 is now available for direct download by clicking here (PDF, 9.5MB).
This comprehensive document (146 pages) details the research activities of the Photovoltaics Center of Excellence.

 

Premier of NSW Makes Announcement at UNSW ARC Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence ~ School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering

Left to Right: Dr Matt Edwards, UNSW, Technology Transfer Team Mr Valantis Vais, UNSW The Hon. Kristina Keneally MP, Premier of NSW Prof. Stuart Wenham, UNSW, Director, Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence Ms Adeline Sugianto, UNSW, Technology Transfer Team

NSW Premier Kristina Keneally makes announcement at UNSW Left to Right Paul Pearce MP, Member for Coogee The Hon. Kristina Keneally MP, Premier of NSW Prof. Stuart Wenham, UNSW, Director, Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence The Hon. John Robertson MLC

8 May 2010

From the Premier's Press Release: 'NSW PLEDGES $120 MILLION TO SUPPORT SOLAR ENERGY PROJECTS. The NSW Government has pledged a record $120 million to support and attract solar energy projects to the State. The NSW Government has pledged $120 million to help NSW solar projects bidding for a share of the Commonwealth’s $1.5 billion Solar Flagships Program which would generate hundreds of clean energy jobs in the State. “This is about leading the nation on solar energy projects. Australia is a sun drenched nation and we must harness this boundless energy,” Ms Keneally said.' To read the entire press release click here to go to the Premier's website.

 

The Dean's Award

LEFT TO RIGHT: Professor Graham Davies, Yu Feng,
Shen-Long Ooi, Xue Bai, Professor Richard Henry, John Durrant,
Benjamin Hughes, Vincent Allen, Dr Richard Corkish, Dongchen Lan Absent: Dong Lin

10 March 2010
The Dean of Engineering, Professor Graham Davies, has awarded eight SPREE students for their academic achievements in 2009. "We are very proud of our students as they have all worked very hard”, said Dr Richard Corkish, Head of School. “I am sure that these high achievers will become excellent engineers and will make considerable personal contributions in their chosen fields.” Images of the event can be viewed here.

PhD Student Nicole Kuepper wins Prize

Governor of New South Wales,
Professor Marie Bashir AC (left)
with Nicole Kuepper (right)

8 March 2010
The Australia Youth Trust’s Tom Harvey Award for Citizenship for 2010 was awarded to SPREE PhD student Nicole Kuepper. This award is named after our late inaugural Chairman of the Australia Youth Trust to recognise the outstanding work of a young Australian in development work in Australia and in Commonwealth countries. The award is made as part of a wider programme of grants made by the Trust to assist young people within Australia and the Commonwealth of Nations in relation to: the relief of poverty and suffering; the provision of literacy, education, training and employment opportunities; and, the promotion of exchange between young Australians and young people in developing Commonwealth nations.

 

Deputy Prime Minister Opens

Left to right: Vice Chancellor Fred Hilmer,
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard,
Sir William Tyree, OBE

3 December 2009
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard opened the site for the new Tyree Energy Technologies Building. This building will be the new home for many of the School's educational and research activities.

Click here for Minister's Press Release

 

Prof. Hans Queisser gives two seminars at UNSW (video on-line)

Prof. Hans Queisser

26 November 2009

Prof. Hans Queisser's work with Shockley in 1961 determined the maximum theoretical efficiency of a solar cell using a p-n junction. The Detailed Balance Limit is considered to be one of the most important contributions in the field of photovoltaics and is fundamental in the understanding of p-n junction solar cells.

Prof. Queisser's two seminars are available for viewing on-line.

• Seminar 1: Multiple Carrier Generation in Solar Cells (click here to view video - 33 min)
• Seminar 2: 1. Shockley, 2. Detailed Balance (click here to view video - 45 min)

 

Professor Stuart Wenham is presented with the Green Globe Award

Green Globe Award

30 July 2009

The Green Globe Awards are the leading environmental awards in New South Wales. Now in its tenth year, the NSW Government's Green Globe Awards showcase outstanding achievements in the sustainable use of natural resources in NSW and leadership in tackling climate change. For more information on NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change Green Globe Awards click here. For more information on the winners of this year's prizes click here

 

Dr Gavin Conibeer Presents: Photovoltaics Technology Overview

Click here to see video of overview

10 June 2009

Deputy Director Gavin Conibeer of the ARC Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence at UNSW has presented an 18 minute overview to the Australian PV Association. To view this video presentation click here.

Professor Stuart Wenham named New South Innovations Inventor of the Year

Professor Stuart Wenham

24 April 2009
Solar cell inventor Stuart Wenham has won the top prize at the 2009 Inventor of the Year awards hosted by New South Innovations, UNSW’s technology commercialisation company.

Professor Wenham is a world-leading solar cell inventor who heads UNSW’s ARC Photovoltaic Centre of Excellence. In a career spanning more than a quarter of a century, he has invented or co-invented eight suites of solar cell technologies that have been licensed to solar cell makers around the world, including Suntech-Power, BP Solar and Samsung. These companies have annual production volumes valued at hundreds of millions of dollars in an industry that is now the world’s fastest-growing energy sector... Click here to read more of this article from the UNSW Media website.

 

Professor Stuart Wenham to recieve the IEEE's 34th PVSC Cherry Award

20 April 2009
"This award is named in honor of William R. Cherry, a founder of the photovoltaic community. In the 1950's, he was instrumental in establishing solar cells as the ideal power source for space satellites and for recognizing, advocating, and nurturing the use of photovoltaic systems for terrestrial applications.  The William R. Cherry award was instituted in l980, shortly after his death. The purpose of the award is to recognize engineers and scientists who devote a part of their professional life to the advancement of the technology of photovoltaic energy conversion. The nominee must have made significant contributions to the science and/or technology of PV energy conversion, with dissemination by substantial publications and presentations. Professional society activities, promotional and/or organizational efforts and achievements are not considerations in the election for the award." IEEE ~ For more information on the Cherry Award click here.

 

World's Largest PV Class?

A/Prof Alistair Sproul teaching Applied Photovoltaics

18 March 2009

“The School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering may be teaching the world’s largest Photovoltaics class”, says Prof. Stuart Wenham, Director of the ARC Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence.  “With 246 undergraduate and postgraduate students, the Applied Photovoltaics class has moved from a specialty area of study into mainstream engineering. Of course we wouldn’t be able to teach a class of this size unless industry needed engineers skilled in these areas but it is still amazing to see how quickly this class has grown.” To find out more about the classes Photovoltaic & Renewable Energy Engineering students take click here. To find out how to enrol in the online version of Applied Photovoltaics for Professional Engineers click here.

 

President of South Korea Visits UNSW Photovoltaics Labs

Left: President Lee Myung-bak, South Korea
Right: Dr Richard Corkish, Head of School

Left to Right:
A/Professor Chung-Sok Suh, Director, Korea-Australasia Research Centre (KAREC)
Professor Les Field, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Dr Richard Corkish, Head, School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering
President Myung-bak Lee, President of the Republic of Korea
Professor Fred Hilmer AO, Vice-Chancellor and President
Professor Richard Henry AM, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)
Ms Jennie Lang, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International)
Mr. Youn-ho Lee, Minister of Knowledge Economy of the Republic of Korea

4 March 2009

The ARC Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence was honoured by the visit of President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea. For more information about this visit please see:

• The press release from the Office of the President;
• The Korea Herald;
• UNSW Media.

 

Chinese Governor Visits UNSW Photovoltaics Labs

Above left to right:
Dr Richard Corkish, Head of School
Governor Guo Geng Mao, Peoples Government of Henan Province, China
Professor Richard Henry, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

 

3 February 2009

The ARC Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence was honoured by the visit of His Excellency Mr. Guo Geng Mao, Governor of Henan Provincial Government and delegates.  “We are most pleased to show His Excellency thorough our photovoltaics laboratory.” says Dr Richard Corkish. “We have very strong academic and industrial links with many Chinese Universities and PV manufacturing groups. Visits such as these are instrumental in fostering collaborative activities.” 

IEEE Honours Professor Stuart Wenham 14 November 2008 "Recognizing the achievements of its members is an important part of the mission of the IEEE. Each year, following a rigorous evaluation procedure, the IEEE Fellow Committee recommends a select group of recipients for one of the Institute's most prestigious honors, elevation to IEEE Fellow. It is my great pleasure to inform you that the IEEE Board of Directors, at its meeting on 12 November 2008, elevated Stuart Wenham to IEEE Fellow, effective 1 January 2009" IEEE

 

UNSW Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence recognized for world record 25% conversion efficiency

28 October 2008
With the International Electrochemical Commission’s adjustment of the internationally recognized solar spectrum the Centre has now achieved 25% conversion efficiency. For more information see the Sydney Morning Herald article here or to listen to the ABC Radio National Science Show's interview with Prof. Green click here.

United Nations Report ~ "Green" energy should create 20 million jobs by 2030

30 September 2008
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Development of alternative energy should create more than 20 million jobs around the world in coming decades as governments adopt policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to a U.N. report released on Wednesday. Click here to go to the Reuters site.