Global Alliance of Solar Energy Research Institutes

Three leading solar research institutes: the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL (USA), Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE (Germany) and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology AIST (Japan) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to form the Global Alliance of Solar Energy Research Institutes GA-SERI.

The signing ceremony was part of the opening session of the fifth Intersolar North America in San Francisco, a leading trade show and conference for the solar industry in North America and co-located with SEMICON West, the leading semiconductor industry exhibition.

In the Global Alliance of Solar Energy Research Institutes, regular scientific exchanges between the three institutions will be the basis for close cooperation. It is intended to have two scientists from each institute in residence at each of the other research centers.

The forming of this Alliance is a response to the rapidly growing relevance of solar energy harvesting thermally or with photovoltaics at rapidly decreasing costs. These technologies will form a key pillar of the future energy system which will be sustainable and carbon-free. The newly founded alliance will give the research in this important field a global voice.

About NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)
NREL is a national laboratory managed and operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC for the United States Department of Energy. Integral to its mission for the U.S. Department of Energy, NREL conducts research and development in renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and practices, advances related science and engineering, and transfers knowledge and innovation to address the United States’ energy and environmental goals. NREL is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). Within the PV programs, researchers support the development of new designs and manufacturing processes for solar materials, components, and systems with an emphasis on improved performance, reliability and service life. Long-term research and development is an essential element for cost reduction, improved reliability, and improved performance of technologies currently supported by the Solar Energy Technologies Program at DOE. NREL's long-term R&D activities include the development of advanced materials and designs for new generation solar PV devices. Collaborative activities among the world’s foremost players in the field of solar energy research from Germany, Japan, and the US will lead to a significant acceleration of progress in these fields.

About Fraunhofer ISE
The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems is a part of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, the leading organization for applied research in Europe. With a total staff of more than 1100, including students, Fraunhofer ISE is the largest solar energy research institute in Europe. Fraunhofer ISE is member of and plays a leading role within the Fraunhofer Energy Alliance which brings together the expertise in energy research of several Fraunhofer institutes; furthermore it is closely connected with the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (CSE) of Fraunhofer's subsidiary, Fraunhofer USA Inc., located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. Fraunhofer ISE conducts research on the technology needed to supply energy efficiently and on an environmentally sound basis in industrialized, threshold and developing countries. To this purpose, the Institute develops systems, components, materials and processes in the areas of the thermal use of solar energy, solar building, solar cells, electrical power supplies, chemical energy conversion, energy storage and the rational use of energy. More than 90 % of the operating funds of Fraunhofer ISE of about 60 million euro are based on competitive contracts provided by industry, governmental bodies and the European Commission. About 50% come from industrial contracts alone.

About AIST/RCPVT (Research Center for Photovoltaic Technologies (RCPVT)
RCPVT is a research unit of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). It is focused on the dynamic development of photovoltaic technologies to realize national energy security, a low carbon society, and sustainable economic growth and job creation through a comprehensive and systematic approach. To this end, AIST/RCPVT conducts research on a variety of photovoltaic materials and devices, such as Si, compound semiconductors, organic materials and novel concept materials. It develops calibration, measurement and system technologies together with industries, universities, research institutes and certification bodies. AIST/RCPVT consists of about 200 researchers including permanent staff, temporary staff and visiting staff from industry and academia.