U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Solar Energy Technologies Program
Photovoltaic Systems Technology Development
Boston Edison joined Northeastern University to use solar electricity to power the Ell Student Center on the University's Boston campus. The rooftop PV system incorporates ninety 285-Wp modules installed on innovative, ballasted mounting trays that require no roof penetrations. The project is part of a nationwide research effort to use clean technology to improve air quality, reduce peak electric demand, lower energy costs, and reduce the need for additional power plants. R&D activities within Technology Development include the following areas:
Systems modeling and analysis are needed to provide an understanding of the potential for PV in today's market. They also help in designing optimal system configurations that meet this potential and guide R&D efforts to meet the needs of future markets.
Includes activities involving benchmarking and validation, PV system performance and standards, development of inverters and other balance-of-systems components, and adoption of PV technology. The category of technology adoption includes technical support and outreach activities — both domestic and international — such as Million Solar Roofs, the Solar Decathlon, support to bilateral and multilateral agreements, and developments in building-integrated PV. Building-integrated R&D addresses incorporating PV into traditional building components and encourages developing the symbiotic relationship that can exist between architecture and PV.
Includes R&D on higher-efficiency III-V solar cells, concentrator cells, and receivers. International qualification standards are also being developed.
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