Solar Cells

Professor Carl C.Wamser and his group of graduate students are approaching new techniques of solar energy conversion using organic materials to focus on developing a solar cell that efficiently collects and converts solar energy into a useful form of chemical energy. Their designs are closely based on photosynthesis and its natural membrane systems.

Photo Credit: Ardalan Minavi

To test these designs, they have installed five different types of solar arrays on the roof of Cramer Hall at Portland State University, and each has different types of technology with different types of inverters, which is a tool that converts solar energy into electricity that can be used commercially. 

Photo Credit: Ardalan Minavi

Professor Wamser and his team built a green roof on Cramer Hall as well. The 1,920-square foot green roof was installed starting September 22^nd 2012 and created a living library that will serve as a host for many classes. The living library is made up of five large pans that each have four solar panels installed on their back. A variety of plant species have been planted in the pans; pans 1 and 3 have sedums only, while pans 2 and 4 have a variety of grasses and other species native to Oregon. Pan 5 is a collection of smaller trays with vegetation that can be moved easily. There are also eight solar panels that have been installed on another section of the roof that serve as the controls. The team monitors the functions and outputs of the solar arrays to test their hypothesis. According to this quote from a PSU Graduate student, Alex Rudine,“The overriding goal of Dr. Wamser's research is to create films that can be used in a variety of products to create and store solar energy using artificial photosynthesis such as siding(for houses), paint, and solar panels.” Achieving this goal will be a great step forward, away from our current energy sources, and toward the application of solar energy as a reliable, practical, and sustainable alternative.