A public-private partnership between the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and private investors is working on a plant to commercialise thin-film technology in South Africa that will offer consumers a cheaper and highly efficient alternative to standard solar panels.

The breakthrough technology is the result of over 13 years of research by a team of scientists led by UJ’s Professor Vivian Alberts.

Following the discovery, Prof Ablerts and the UJ formed  the company Photovoltaic Technology Intellectual Property. The company has since entered into agreements with a solar energy investor in Germany known as Johanna Solar Technology. Currently work is underway on the establishment of a purpose-built plant, in the Western Cape, to produce the thin film solar modules.

Unlike standard solar panels that contain a 350 micron thick silicon layer, these solar panels make use of copper, indium, gallium, sulphur and selenium. The result is a revolutionary thin panel, approximately five microns thick – a human hair is 20 microns thick – that converts light into energy at a fraction of the cost.

The elements used in the panels are all semiconductors making this technology far more effective in attracting heat.

Shareholders in the project include petrochemicals giant Sasol, the Central Energy Fund, the National Empowerment Fund and the University.

Herman Esterhuizen
Coordinator: Media Relations
Division of Institutional Advancement
University of Johannesburg
Tel:          +27 11 559-6653
Cell:         + 27 72 129 0777
Email:      hermane@uj.ac.za