Cost-effective Photovoltaics Research - A Summer School in Nairobi in 2007

Partners

Hahn-Meitner Institute (HMI)

Scientific partner and initiator, based in Berlin, Germany

The Hahn-Meitner Institute is a scientific research centre. It specializes in the investigation of the structures of solid matter and materials, as well as new materials and manufacturing techniques for photovoltaic cells. The work extends from basic research through to practical applications.

In the solar energy research department at the Hahn-Meitner Institute, the focus is on developing new generations of cost-effective thin-film solar cells. Research projects are being carried out to develop efficient solar cells, concentrating on thin-film technologies. This should lead to substantial reductions in the cost of solar power. In close collaboration with partners from industry, a strategy of bringing existing and already established options to technological maturity, while also developing new materials and solar cell concepts for the future is being implemented. The focus here is on highly promising materials, such as polycrystalline silicon and compound semiconductors (I-III-VI2 and III-V compounds). Scientific and technological progress is to be achieved by a broadly based approach to research and design. Fundamental systematic research complements the empirical work. The subjects of work range from basic scientific research on materials to industrial applications:

Fundamentals of materials;
Concepts for solar cell structures;
Solar cells at laboratory scale and prototype modules;
Analysis and numerical simulation of devices;
Process development and process monitoring.

Materials, solar cells and modules are being examined using state-of-the-art methods of physical analysis. The analysis and preparation of semiconductor interfaces and defect structures is of particular importance.

Website: http://www.hmi.de

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)

Scientific partner, based in Nairobi, Kenya

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) is situated in Juja, 36 km North-East of Nairobi. The institution was started in 1981, as a middle level college, awarding diploma certificates in Agricultural Engineering, Food Technology, Horticulture, Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. In 1988, the then Jomo Kenyatta College became a constituent college of Kenyatta University and in 1994, it was transformed into a University through an Act of Parliament.

JKUAT's mission is to be a leading university in training, research and innovation in the fields of Agriculture, Engineering, Applied Sciences, Technology and Enterprise Development to suit the needs of a dynamic world. The university's vision is to become a "World Class Institution for Development".

Currently, the university has three faculties and a school. The faculties are Agriculture, Engineering, Science and the School of Architecture and Building Sciences. It also has various institutes and centers which offer market-driven courses. In response to changing market demands, new undergraduate programmes have been developed in various faculties to meet the challenges. The new curriculum is Geomatic, Mechatronic and Electronics and Computer Engineering. Others are Food Science and Nutrition, Biomechanical and Processing Engineering; Soil, Water and Environmental Engineering and Ornamental Science and Landscaping. In coming decades, teaching, learning and research facilities will be expanded to create a more enabling environment. All stakeholders will be involved and consulted in the planning and implementation of the projected programs.

Website: http://www.jkuat.ac.ke/

Berlin-Nairobi Exchange

Project management, based in Berlin, Germany and Nairobi, Kenya

The Berlin-Nairobi Exchange is a non-governmental organization (NGO) developing and coordinating scientific co-operations between North and South, in particular between Germany and Kenya, since 1995.

One of the first projects was a student exchange programme for physicists between a German and a Kenyan university. The project started in 1998 with two German students. By now the exchange programme has expanded considerably. Currently four German physicists from different German universities study at two Kenyan university (JKUAT and the University of Nairobi). Since 1998, 21 German students have studied physics in Kenya for one academic year. Also, two Kenyan PhD students came through the Berlin-Nairobi Exchange to the Hahn-Meitner Institute in 2003/04 for one year. For many years DAAD has been supporting the exchange programme by providing scholarships to the participating students.

The Berlin-Nairobi Exchange develops novel and innovative scientific North-South and South-South projects. Besides the research collaboration in photovoltaics, which includes this summer school as a special project, and the student exchange, an ozone and air quality measurement project (DOAS) in Nairobi, in collaboration with Bremen University, and a micro-loan programme in collaboration with Solar Homepower in Kitale enabling families and small businesses in this region to purchase a photovoltaic installation.

Website: http://www.berlinnairobi.org

Volkswagen Foundation

Main sponsor, based in Hannover, Germany

The Volkswagen Foundation has been funding research projects in all disciplines since 1962. Its mission is to establish forward-looking fields of knowledge.

Despite its name, the Volkswagen Foundation is not a subsidiary of the respective company, but an independent, non-profit foundation under private law with its head office in Hannover. With a funding volume of up to 100 million euros per year it is the largest private science funder and one of the major foundations in Germany.

The money spent for grants is earned through investing the capital of the Foundation - currently some 2.4 billion euros. This means that the Foundation is autonomous and independent in its decisions - a strong basis for a Foundation of knowledge!

Website: http://www.volkswagenstiftung.de

ANSTI of UNESCO

Sponsor of additional travel grants, based in Nairobi, Kenya

ANSTI, the African Network of Scientific and Technological Institutions, is an organ of cooperation that embraces African institutions engaged in University level training and research in the fields of science and technology. Founded in January 1980, through the financial support of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Germany, the network has grown over the years to become an effective institution for the development of human resource capacity in the fields of Basic and Engineering Sciences. To-date it has 109 member institutions in 35 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This puts ANSTI in a powerful position to advertise, coordinate and implement various programme activities for various international agencies.

The original aim of ANSTI which has remained unchanged over the years, was to develop active collaboration among African scientific institutions so as to promote research and development in areas of relevance to the development of the region. ANSTI emphasizes the pooling of resources available in the region so as to provide quality training and research in various scientific disciplines. In order to achieve this objective ANSTI is engaged in numerous activities which can be grouped into four programme areas: Training, Seminars & Workshops, Publications, Promotion of Research/ Development

Website: http://www.ansti.org