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23 August 2010
Deputy Prime Minister declares University solar farm open
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg visited the University on Friday 20 August to officially open the Sheffield Solar Farm.
During his visit, Project Leader Dr Alastair Buckley gave Mr Clegg an insight into how the farm’s state-of-the-art photovoltaic panels will help lead the way in photovoltaic research and boost our knowledge of renewable energy.
The Sheffield Solar Farm will tie into existing work underway at the University in the Departments of Chemistry and Physics & Astronomy to develop new generations of solar cells using plastic as opposed to silicon. This would reduce processing costs and enable photovoltaic technology to be used on a wider scale. These new solar cells will now be put to the test on the Solar Farm.
The Sheffield Solar Farm is launched as the University embarks on a unique venture entitled Project Sunshine. The project aims to unite scientists in finding ways to harness the power of the sun as part of a bid to meet the increasing food and energy needs of the world´s population during a time of uncertain climate and global environment change.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, said: "As we face the huge challenges of climate change and energy security, it is vital the UK moves away from its reliance on fossil fuels and onto low carbon technologies. I am proud that the University of Sheffield is at the cutting edge of renewables research.
"The Solar Farm is not only a hugely impressive work of both ingenuity and engineering, but it could prove to be a vital tool for developing the technologies that will meet our energy needs for decades to come."
Dr Alastair Buckley, from the Department of Physics, said: "It's great that Mr Clegg has been able to open the Solar Farm here today. It shows how committed the UK and the University is to investing in a diverse, sustainable energy mix that includes solar photovoltaics. We'll make sure we report back to Mr Clegg about what we find."
Professor Tony Ryan OBE, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Science, said: "The installation of the Solar Farm demonstrates our commitment to fundamental research that benefits society. It is an integral part of our work in Project Sunshine that aims to harness the power of the sun to tackle the biggest challenge facing the world today: meeting the increasing food and energy needs of the world's population in the context of an uncertain climate and global environment change."
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