Samira Aden joins ETIP PV - The European Technology & Innovation Platform for Photovoltaics ESG Working Group
© baip
Samira Jama Aden, Architect Design Research, has joined the ETIP PV - The European Technology & Innovation Platform for Photovoltaics working group “Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)”.
ESG emphasizes the critical need for environmental-social and ethical responsibility in photovoltaic technologies. Photovoltaic embedded within global society, demands attention to power dynamics, reliable information, guidelines, and accountability to ensure a sustainable, just, and transparent PV sector, surrounding Lifecycleassesment, environmental responsibility, and social equity.
Samira Aden titles: “Technology is always embedded in a larger context. Renewable energy technologies, such as PV, are intrinsically linked to our global society, presenting multidisciplinary challenges related to climate change and a perpetually transforming society. Especially crucial is the awareness that PV technologies, materials, industries, and governance necessitate a high degree of social and ethical responsibility. This is evident when considering power dynamics and their effects on energy systems in the Global North and Global South. To prevent paradoxes between discourse, action, and responsibility, there is a need for reliable information, guidelines for action, and accountability within the European PV sector. The renewable energy transition is multifaceted and requires a comprehensive dedication to transnational responsibility, social justice, and practice.”
Helmholtz-Berlin looks forward to her contributing her experience as an architect and expert in design research and innovative materials to this important field of photovoltaics at a European level.
- Solar cells on moon glass for a future base on the moonFuture settlements on the moon will need energy, which could be supplied by photovoltaics. However, launching material into space is expensive – transporting one kilogram to the moon costs one million euros. But there are also resources on the moon that can be used. A research team led by Dr. Felix Lang of the University of Potsdam and Dr. Stefan Linke of the Technical University of Berlin have now produced the required glass from ‘moon dust’ (regolith) and coated it with perovskite. This could save up to 99 percent of the weight needed to produce PV modules on the moon. The team tested the radiation tolerance of the solar cells at the proton accelerator of the HZB.
- Optical innovations for solar modules - which are the most promising?In 2023, photovoltaic systems generated more than 5% of the world’s electrical energy and the installed capacity doubles every two to three years. Optical technologies can further increase the efficiency of solar modules and open up new applications, such as coloured solar modules for facades. Now, 27 experts provide a comprehensive overview of the state of research and assess the most promising innovations. The report, which is also of interest to stakeholders in funding and science management, was coordinated by HZB scientists Prof. Christiane Becker and Dr. Klaus Jäger.
- The future of energy: recommendations from science to politicsExperts from HZB have contributed their expertise to the position papers briefly presented here. The topics include the development of innovative materials for a sustainable energy supply and the circular economy. Experts from different areas have jointly formulated solutions and recommendations for action.