When you hear about a research facility being set up in respect of solar power you perhaps tend to immediately think of the USA or even China for its location. However, the latest such facility to be set up, opens its doors at the University of Salford, Manchester, here in Britain on Tuesday 16th April 2013.
The facility has cost £400,000 to bring together and will provide research and development and also free consultancy. The unit will also have the option to test a variety of configurations and new designs.
It will be fully equipped with imported Italian production machines and benefit by having experienced staff covering both the technical side of things as well as academics. Although the unit is able to produce solar panels it is of the opinion that it can be better used to test solar power projects. This would be similar to the Salford Energy House scheme that uses a terraced house that has been constructed within a laboratory under controlled conditions. This house is actually utilised by a number of businesses that wish to test the technological aspects of energy efficient things.
However, at the event to launch the facility, businesses attending will be allowed to observe a solar panel being produced. Several businesses located in the area are presently in discussions with the University of Salford about utilising the facilities available. At the launch event, Solar Aid, that is a charity, will be one of the speakers. Interestingly, at the moment, Solar Aid are in partnership with Salford to make available solar lamps to children that are located in isolated parts of Africa with a view to assist them to do some studying when it is dark.
For those interested, the event is to be launched at the Agecroft Network Centre at Swinton, Manchester from 10 am to 1 pm on 16th April 2013.