Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	EP/R042233/1
Title:	The development and demonstration of a unique low cost scalable PV technology for international development.
Principal Investigator:	Royapoor, Dr M
Other Investigators:	Roskilly, Professor AP
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Sch of Engineering
Organisation:	Newcastle University
Scheme:	Technology Programme
Starts:	01 March 2018	Ends:	31 August 2020	Value (£):	76,090
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Solar Technology
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Energy
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
Big Solar Limited (BSL) is developing Power Roll (PR) that is a ground breaking, ultra-low cost and ultra-lightweight solar photovoltaic (PV) solution. The design of PR represents a breakthrough in the challenge of generating renewable energy at a cost cheaper than hydrocarbons and 40% lower than silicon PV. This is a disruptive technology with the potential to transform the lives of 1.2 billion people without access to electricity as well helping the UK in delivering its carbon reduction targets. Sir Joseph Swan Centre for Energy Research at Newcastle University aims to deploy this ground-breaking solar PV in Sub- Saharan Africa. A two stage deployment of first generation Power Roll product will address the needs of rural off-grid communities in African markets. Many of these communities are still without electrical power and the limited Electric Power Infrastructure within these countries offers a dim outlook for immediate delivery of grid-based power to these communities. This makes off-grid electricity supply and storage solutions an invaluable transitional solution that could have an immediate impact on the quality of life of these communities. The proposed deployment of first generation PV rolls will integrate a small and subsequently medium size Power Roll to enable solar electricity generation aimed at operating portable or irrigation water pumping duties, or the processing of harvested crops (for instance drying) to eliminate post-harvest food losses which is of great concern and a major cause of hunger and poverty in SSA rural communities. The project will continue to monitor system performance and compiled data will be analysed to characterise system performance, allow PV deployment system design and facilitate product roll-outs across under-developed rural communities.
Key Findings
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Further Information:
Organisation Website:	http://www.ncl.ac.uk