Sun Rises On Canadian Project

OPEL Solar, a global developer and supplier of high concentration photovoltaic ("HCPV") solar panels and solar tracking systems, and the National Research Council of Canada, have announced the unveiling and testing of the SUNRISE (Semiconductors Using Nanostructures for Record Increased in Solar-cell Efficiency) research project installation at the Institute for Research in Construction's Flexhouse in Ottawa, Ontario.

Funded by the Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the unveiling and testing of the SUNRISE project represents the culmination of three years of research into utilizing nanostructures to establish a higher level of energy efficiency and output from a concentrated photovoltaic installation. The SUNRISE project is a collaborative research project between OPEL, The National Research Council of Canada, the University of Ottawa's Centre for Research and the University of Sherbrooke. The SUNRISE project was focused on developing new, ultra high efficient solar cells in combination with high efficiency OPEL Solar concentrator design. When paired with OPEL's state-of-the art dual axis tracker, the newly developed panels are very cost effective and are expected to validate target efficiencies for both cells and the system.

"We're very excited to see the culmination of three years of research and development by some of the best minds in solar technology with the unveiling of the SUNRISE project," stated Leon M. Pierhal President and Chief Executive Officer of OPEL.

The SUNRISE project was unveiled and energized this afternoon, at a special ceremony hosted by Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) and John McDougall, President of the National Research Council of Canada at the National Research Council of Canada Institute for Research facilities in Ottawa, Ontario.