The National Solar Energy Research Institute: Function, Organization, and the First Six Months

The role of the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) in the national solar program is discussed. A brief history of developments leading to the formation of SERI is included. Functional responsibilities, organization and the current plans for staff and facilities growth are addressed

Proceedings of Small Power Systems Solar Electric Workshop. Volume 2: Invited papers

The focus of this work shop was to present the committment to the development of solar thermal power plants for a variety of applications including utility applications. Workshop activities included panel discussions, formal presentations, small group interactive discussions, question and answer periods, and informal gatherings. Discussion on topics include: (1) solar power technology options; (2) solar thermal power programs currently underway at the DOE, JPL, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI); (3) power options competing with solar; (4) institutional issues; (5) environmental and siting issues; (6) financial issues; (7) energy storage; (8) site requirements for experimental solar installations, and (9) utility planning

Multijunction cells for concentrators: Technology prospects

Development of high-efficiency multijunction solar cells for concentrator applications is a key step in achieving the goals of the U.S. Department of Energy National Photovoltaics Program. This report summarizes findings of an issue study conducted by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Photovoltaic Analysis and Integration Center, with the assistance of the Solar Energy Research Institute and Sandia National laboratoies, which surveyed multijunction cell research for concentrators undertaken by federal agencies and by private industry. The team evaluated the potentials of research activities sponsored by DOE and by corporate funding to achieve projected high-efficiency goals and developed summary statements regarding industry expectations. Recommendations are made for the direction of future work to address specific unresolved aspects of multijunction cell technology

Comparative Studies on the Carbohydrate Composition of Marine Macroalgae: An Annotated Bibliography

An annotated bibliography of journal articles related to comparative studies on the carbohydrate composition of marine macroalgae produced for the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI)

Outdoor performance testing of thin-film devices

The Advanced Systems Research Group supports the photovoltaic advanced R&D (PV AR&D) project by providing outdoor (global) testing of PV cells, submodules, modules, and arrays. The group also provides in house engineering and analysis to identify and determine how technical issues such as cell/module/system adaptations, long term stability, reliability, economics, materials availability, safety, and environmental impacts affect the development and ultimate use of advanced PV thin film, innovative cell, and material technologies. A major thrust of the research effort is to develop and utilize instrumentation and procedures for monitoring and analyzing PV cells and submodules including outdoor performance and stability testing and life cycle accelerated stress testing. To accomplish the above, the solar energy research institute (SERI) outdoor PV test facility was established in 1982. The group has designed testing systems and analysis procedures for, and has tested, numerous amorphous silicon thin film submodules provided by SERI subcontractors and has performed long term outdoor stability tests on CdS/CuIr Se sub 2 and hydrogen passivated silicon solar cells. A significant contribution from this facility over the past year was the testing of large area amorphous silicon submodules

Overview of SERI's high efficiency solar cell research

The bulk of the research efforts supported by the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) High Efficiency Concepts area has been directed towards establishing the feasibility of achieving very high efficiencies, 30% for concentrator and more than 20% for thin film flat plate, in solar cell designs which could possibly be produced competitively. The research has accomplished a great deal during the past two years. Even though the desired performance levels have not yet been demonstrated, based on the recent progress, a greater portion of the terrestrial photovoltaics community believes that these efficiencies are attainable. The program will now allocate a larger portion of resources to low cost, large area deposition technology. The program is currently shifting greater emphasis on to the study of crystal growth in order to provide the understanding and tools needed to design a large area process

The DOE photovoltaics program

As part of the National Solar Energy program, the US Department of Energy is now engaged in the development of technically feasible, low cost candidate component and system technologies to the point where technical readiness can be demonstrated by 1982. The overall strategy is to pursue parallel options that continue to show promise of meeting the program goals, thus increasing the probability that at least one technology will be successful. Included in technology development are both flat plate solar collectors and concentrator solar collectors, as well as the balance of system components, such as structures, power conditioning, power controls, protection, and storage. Generally, these last items are common to both flat plate and concentrator systems, but otherwise there is considerable disparity in design philosophy, photovoltaic cell requirements, and possible applications between the two systems. Objectives for research activities at NASA Lewis for stand alone applications, and at Sandia Laboratories where intermediate load center applications are addressed, are highlighted as well as college projects directed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and international applications managed by the Solar Energy Research Institute. Joint DOD/DOE effects for military applications are also summarized

SERI on-line models

The Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) Computer Center, is available to outside users via a value-added network. To provide additional support to the user community, a system for on-line access to computer models relating to solar applications is being developed. This project is designed to enhance and compliment the capabilities of the Solar Energy Information Data Bank (SEIDB) at SERI. The target user community for the On-Line Library includes Regional Solar Energy Centers (RESC's) affiliated institutions, DOE offices and laboratories, subcontractors, universities, and internal SERI users. Models selected for the library must be complete, operational and well documented. A broad range of applications will be available, including materials research, systems analysis, passive systems, market analysis, sizing, costing, and graphics. After a formal request is approved, the user will receive access to the system through an interactive executor program. This program allows model selection and execution, and processes accounting information. The capability to produce listings and, eventually, graphics at the central site to be mailed to remote users will also be provided

Inventory of Sources of Available Saline Waters for Microalgae Mass Culture in the State of Arizona

The Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) is conducting research on the development of microalgae biomass systems for the production of liquid fuels. Particularly appealing at this time, is the idea of using indigenous resources of the Southwest for large-scale production of microalgae

Solar Energy Research Institute Validation Test House Site Handbook

The Validation Test House at the Solar Energy Research Institute in Golden, Colorado, is being used to collect performance data for analysis/design tool validation as part of the DOE Passive Solar Class A Performance Evaluation Program