The Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (INER) inaugurated its high-tech testing center for photovoltaic energy at the Kaohsiung Science Park (高雄科學園區) on Wednesday.
The center’s laboratory will provide testing services in 17 categories for Taiwan’s solar energy industry and help local photovoltaic companies obtain international certification and explore the overseas market, INER said.
INER director-general Yeh Taun-ran (葉陶然) presided over the inauguration, which was attended by Kaohsiung County Commisioner Yang Chiu-hsing (楊秋興); Atomic Energy Council Chairman Tsai Chuen-horng (蔡春鴻); Chen Chun-wei (陳俊偉), director-general of the Southern Taiwan Science Park Administration; and industry leaders.
They also attended the groundbreaking for a photovoltaic energy demonstration farm in Lujhu Township (路竹), near the science park.
INER scientist Kuo Cherng-tsong (郭成聰), who is leading the demonstration project, said the 3.4-hectare farm will have the largest high-concentration photovoltaic system in Asia. It is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.
Kuo said the demonstration farm’s photovoltaic system would use high-efficiency III-V solar cells that can absorb direct solar irradiation and are better than silicon and thin-film solar cells.
INER research has found that the new system not only offers higher efficiency in solar energy supply, but can also reduce manufacturing costs.
The technology developed at the demonstration farm will be transferred to local companies.
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