Kaptur Announces $1,100,000 in Federal Funding to Support Ultra-High Efficiency Solar Cell Research at University of Toledo
Department of Energy Funds will Advance U. Toledo Research Team in Developing Solar Cells with Greater than 25% Efficiency
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, today announced $1,100,000 in federal funds administered through the Department of Energy (DOE) to support University of Toledo (UT) research into ultra-high efficiency solar cells.
The funds will support a team of researchers at the University Toledo in developing processes and strategies to fabricate ultra-high efficiency and stable perovskite-perovskite thin-film tandem solar cells, critical components for manufacturing longer lasting high efficiency solar panels at lower costs. The team aims to develop a cell with greater than 25% efficiency. The most efficient solar panels on the market today have efficiency ratings as high as 22%, whereas the majority of panels range from 15% to 17% efficiency rating. This research will partner a team of experts at the University of Toledo with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
"This $1,100,000 award recognizes the University of Toledo as a national leader in photovoltaics research," said Rep. Kaptur. "This is part of an effort to innovate toward a cleaner energy future. With First Solar's footprint in Northwest Ohio, and the Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization at UT, Toledo is a hotbed for clean energy and photovoltaics research. This is another success story for Northwest Ohio's green energy economy."
Background:
The Toledo area's solar footprint continues to expand. In 2018, First Solar announced a $400 million expansion in Perrysburg Township.
The Toledo Community Foundation is moving ahead with construction of a solar array at Toledo's Overland Park, a recovered brownfield that is now home to hundreds of new production facilities and jobs in auto related manufacturing.
A 2017 International Energy Agency report found that solar is the world's fastest-growing source of power. This represents the first time solar energy's growth has surpassed that of all other fuels.
Congresswoman Kaptur is Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Appropriations, which provides annual funding for the Department of Energy.