University helps harness solar energy May 2, 2000 By Valerie Brown Research at UT has contributed to the success of a Toledo area-based company that manufactures photovoltaic (PV) solar cells. The North Engineering Building has housed the pilot production for Solar Cells Inc., which merged with True North of Scottsdale, Ariz., in February 1999. The resulting company, First Solar, LLC, recently completed construction of a 75,000-square-foot plant that will go into full production later this year. Last year, the total worldwide production of PV solar cells was about 175 megawatts. First Solar's new facility has the capability to produce 100 megawatts of power. UT has had a group involved in PV solar cell research since 1990, led by Dr. Randy Bohn, professor of physics and astronomy, Dr. Alvin Compaan, interim chair and professor of physics and astronomy, and Dr. Xunming Deng, associate professor of physics and astronomy. The group receives about $300,000 annually from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) of the U.S. Department of Energy, one of the largest amounts awarded to a university group for PV research. Simply put, PV solar cells use sunlight to convert photons directly into electrons with no moving parts to produce electrical energy. "This group has had close collaborative ties with Solar Cells Inc. and now First Solar, LLC," Compaan said. "Currently there are three UT graduates and one graduate student intern working at First Solar." Compaan said that the NREL estimates that solar cell production is increasing about 30 percent annually. "This is an industry with tremendous growth potential and one of the key players is First Solar," he said. For more information, contact Compaan at (419) 530-4906.