Solar cells are based on either crystalline silicon (c-Si) or thin film silicon technology.  Thin film cells are often cheaper to manufacture but are also less efficient than c-Si.  A research team, led by the University of Arizona, hopes to greatly improve the efficiency of thin film cells by using novel materials and processes.

Solar energy can only be produced during the day, and weather changes create short-term intermittancies that impact grid performance.  These facts limit the adoption of solar as a solution for energy generation.  This program, led by the University of Arizona, seeks to improve compressed air energy storage technology so that CAES systems can be designed with greater capacity at a lower cost.

Solar module systems are supposed to perform at a high level for 25 years or longer.  This project, led by Arizona State University, incorporates real-world data and sophisticated testing environments to increase our understanding of the factors affecting the performance and reliability of solar modules; improve testing turnaround time and permit development of high performance, reliable solar module system technologies.

SFAz is funding two projects in Concentrating Photovoltaics - an ideal technology for producing solar energy in Arizona and the Southwest.  A team co-led by the University of Arizona and Arizona State University is working to significantly reduce the cost of producing large-scale solar power by combining state-of-the-art solar cells with an innovative mirror technology.  A second project, led by the University of Arizona and Raytheon, uses proprietary solar collectors to create ultra-high efficiency solar systems for local, off-grid deployment.

Az SMART is a Solar Market Analysis and Research Tool designed to help meet the challenges that face large-scale solar deployment in Arizona.  The research effort – led by Arizona State University – utilizes data on land ownership, solar insolation, GIS mapping, transmission capacity, grid operations and management, central plant and distributed generation siting, population projections, environmental impact and energy storage needs, and assesses the associated economic impacts on utilities and consumers.