Solar Panel Pioneer in the Spotlight at Tech Awards

Andrew Blakers waited a long time to see his innovation take its place in the sun.  Now, the technology he created is helping to power half the world’s solar panels, fuelling a global shift to renewable energy.  The engineering professor’s breakthrough work was recognised at the Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering (ATSE) Awards in Melbourne on Oct. 17 night, in one of seven awards celebrating Australian inventors.  Blakers, who is now researching hydroelectricity, said he hoped the recognition would inspire more scientists to pursue their goals, and more organisations to back early and late stage scientific achievements.  His invention, passivated emitter and rear contact (PERC) solar cells, allow solar panels to produce more energy than conventional panels. ...