Ten years of collaborative photovoltaic research and education: Universityof Florence - Slovak University of Technology

This paper deals with research and development (R&D) activities in the area of photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy within collaboration between the Slo vak University of Technology, Bratislava and University of Florence. Activi ties covered include the development of all-implanted monocrystalline silic on cells with screen-printed contacts, PV modules technology for the manufa cture of large-area components for power roofs, building and acoustic barri ers applications, power conditioning For PV supply units for railway applic ations, and technological solutions for the realization of PV arrays operat ing at direct-current voltages in excess of 500 V. Other activities have be en related to CdTe thin films for solar cells. Educational activities in th e held of photovoltaic engineering for an undergraduate course are briefly outlined as well. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.