The team visited the Solar Platform of Almería (PSA, by its Spanish acronym), the Solar Laboratory of Odeillo in France, and the International Solar Energy Research Center Konstanz (ISC) in Germany. An agreement was signed with the ISC to establish a joint research program.

Fifteen researchers from the Solar Energy Research Center (SERC Chile) traveled to Spain, France, and Germany between May 3 and 11 on a technical mission to study the state-of-the-art in solar energy research at leading European centers. The SERC Chile delegation visited the Solar Platform of Almería (PSA) in Spain, the Solar Laboratory in Odeillo, France, and the International Solar Energy Research Center Konstanz (ISC) in Germany. SERC Chile is a FONDAP research center established by CONICYT and led by Professor Rodrigo Palma of the Department of Electrical Engineering at the Universidad de Chile, in collaboration with the Universidad de Tarapacá, Universidad de Antofagasta, Universidad de Concepción, and Fundación Chile.

Almería, a semi-arid region similar to the Chilean Norte Chico, is the cradle of solar energy in Spain and a leading site for the development of global technological applications.

The SERC Chile delegation was welcomed by PSA Director Sixto Malato and the Director of Solar Energy Environmental Applications, Julián Blanco, who, together with their team, presented various facilities and ongoing projects. Adjacent to the PSA is the Advanced Technology Center for Renewable Energies (CTAER), where the delegation observed the innovative Central Tower featuring mobile heliostats.

In France, the researchers visited Odeillo, home to the world’s largest solar furnace and other world-class research facilities for solar energy applications. At the conclusion of the visit, the parties agreed to initiate joint research initiatives.

In Germany, the final destination of the tour, SERC researchers visited the ISC Konstanz, which specializes in the production of high-performance photovoltaic cells. At this location, SERC Chile Director Rodrigo Palma and Radovan Kopecek, Managing Director of Advanced Cell Concepts and member of the ISC Executive Committee, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a joint research program and human capital development, among other collaborative activities.

The mission to Europe included a visit by two members of the photovoltaic cell and semiconductor development group from the University of Marburg, Germany.