The China-Egypt Renewable Energy Joint Laboratory (Joint Laboratory) has marked a key milestone by developing Africa’s first half-piece solar module.
This breakthrough marks significant progress in solar energy technology in Egypt.
The Joint Laboratory, located in Suhag and funded by the Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT) and the 48th Research Institute of China Electronics Science and Technology Group Corporation (CETC48), features a 1,000-square-meter solar cell and module laboratory with cutting-edge production and testing facilities.
The Joint Laboratory, which includes three professors, five doctors, ten master’s degrees, twelve engineers, and four international professionals, has been functioning since 2019 and has independently, produced Africa’s first solar cell and module.
The Joint Laboratory has worked collaboratively with Chinese engineers to improve solar energy technology. They successfully produced a half-solar cell and then a half-solar module using laser cutting-edge equipment and technology.
According to Professor Mohamed Bayoumy Zahran, director of the ASRT Regional Center for Development of South Egypt and supervisor of the Egypt-China joint laboratory of renewable energy, this particular solar module has higher photoelectric conversion efficiency and better environmental adaptability than traditional solar modules.
The Egypt-China joint laboratory’s products, including solar panels, find application in various domains, including a 30kW Grid-connected System, a 6kW Grid-connected & off System, a Water Pumping System for laboratory operations, a Water desalination unit for population use, a Solar Power Gulf Mini-Bus for transportation, and a LED lighting system for the ASRT Regional Center.
Given the expanding power needs in Egypt and the inadequacies of traditional power sources, particularly in areas with frequent power outages, the Joint Laboratory seeks to promote this high-efficiency solar module technology.
They intend to develop a high-efficiency photovoltaic module plant in Suhag to address power supply issues.
Training and capacity building:
In terms of training and capacity building, the Regional Developed Center of Renewable Energy has trained approximately 1000 individuals, including students, engineers, chemists, and physicists in renewable energy. Furthermore, the center has contributed eight publications to international scientific journals, and ten master’s and doctoral students have received their degrees.
The center additionally presented 33 posters and oral presentations.
Future Perspective:
The Academy of Scientific Research and Technology is committed to advancing renewable energy and energy efficiency for a sustainable future.
The Regional Developing Center aspires to become an international hub for enhancing the efficiency and affordability of renewable energy technology, including solar panels, wind turbines, energy storage systems, and other solutions.
A noteworthy initiative on the horizon is a MEGA project for renewable energy based on green hydrogen production and storage technologies (HSTs). Green Hydrogen is considered a centerpiece of the green transition, playing a pivotal role in achieving net-zero CO₂ emissions in the future.
Additionally, producing carbon credits through the renewable energy center is anticipated to bring further benefits to the local and international community.
