Non-Imaging Cheap Highly Efficient solar concentrator for building integrated photovoltaic (PV) system – (NICHE-PV)

Solar photovoltaic (PV), which is one of the technologies that harness solar energy by converting the sunlight directly into electricity, grew by more than 100 folds from 2000 to 2013. However, more needs to be done to ensure that renewable technologies, especially solar PV, are more widely adopted in order to reduce climate change. One of the problems that surround the PV technology is its high cost of implementation and the largest proportion of the cost (approximately 45%) was due to the expensive PV material used in the fabrication of the module. It is argued that by reducing the usage of PV material in a PV module, it is possible to achieve a cheaper PV system; which could further attract more consumers into opting and installing this technology.

A possible way to reduce the amount of expensive PV material and therefore the cost of the PV modules and the PV systems is by using a solar concentrator. This is a device (mainly constructed from a low cost refractive and/or reflective material) that focuses the solar radiation from a large entrance aperture area into a smaller exit aperture where a solar cell is attached. This allows the system to generate a similar or higher electrical output than a conventional PV system, while at the same time using only a fraction of the PV material.

The NICHE-PV project proposed here is aim at developing a second generation concentrator for use in building integration. The concentrator will be different from existing alternatives in its novel design. It should be capable of providing larger gains than existing optics, making the design more compact, lighter and/or cheaper. This project not only involves the creation of a new alternative design to traditional solar PV panels, but a design that is also cheaper, easy to mass manufacture, and appealing to the market. The proposed project has several objectives that need to be addressed to ensure that this product can be commercialized and is available into the market. These objectives include: (1) To carry out simulation on the performance in selected environment; (2) To fabricate and assemble a small and large prototype of the panel; (3) To carry out experimental validation indoor and outdoor; (4) To identify the best manufacturing, assembly and integration technique; (5) To evaluate the cost analysis and market analysis for implementation in selected countries, and (6) To perform experimental prototype for interfacing the proposed PV system with a typical islanded load/microgrid.

Applications should make it clear the project you are applying for and the name of the supervisors.

Academic qualifications

A first-class honours degree, or a distinction at master level, or equivalent achievements ideally in Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Renewable Energy, or Materials Science.

English language requirement

If your first language is not English, comply with the University requirements for research degree programmes in terms of English language.

Application process

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the supervisor, Dr Firdaus Muhammad Sukki (F.MuhammadSukki@napier.ac.uk) to discuss the content of the project and the fit with their qualifications and skills before preparing an application. 

The application must include: 

Research project outline of 2 pages (list of references excluded). The outline may provide details about

• Background and motivation, explaining the importance of the project, should be supported also by relevant literature. You can also discuss the applications you expect for the project results.
• Research questions or
• Methodology: types of data to be used, approach to data collection, and data analysis methods.
• List of references

The outline must be created solely by the applicant. Supervisors can only offer general discussions about the project idea without providing any additional support.

• Statement no longer than 1 page describing your motivations and fit with the project.
• Recent and complete curriculum vitae. The curriculum must include a declaration regarding the English language qualifications of the candidate.
• Supporting documents will have to be submitted by successful candidates.
• Two academic references (but if you have been out of education for more than three years, you may submit one academic and one professional reference), on the form can be downloaded here.

Applications can be submitted here 

Download a copy of the project details here.