Laser-Enabled Manufacturing of Solar Systems

ongoing

"Due to the increasing concern on the effect of energy sources on the ecosystem, effort must be put in to transition from fossil fuels. The adoption of solar technologies has begun to gain traction, with it accounting for 4.5% of total global energy generation. In Ghana alone, solar technology usage has increased from 2.1% to 3% and similar increases are recorded for sub-Saharan Africa. Despite these advances, while there are no direct emissions from the use of solar technologies, the environmental impact of manufacturing of key components of the solar systems technology (solar panels and solar batteries) is concerning. This is because the Carbon Brief’s report has identified that around 92% of the emissions during the life cycle of solar technologies come from the manufacturing processes and this needs urgent actions to meet UN sustainability development goals, SDG #7, #8, #12, #17. The integrated use of laser manufacturing (LM), scanning optics (SO), predictive life cycle and sustainability modelling (LCSM), digital twin powered by machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), has the potential to better produce high grade solar technology components with Net-Zero energy consumption and emissions. There is therefore the need for young African engineering postgraduate research students with expertise in mitigating climate change via the practical application of these tools. LaSoMa, a consortium of four African and one European higher education institutions (HEIs), and three African associate partners would: (i) increase the employability of 45 scholars/trainees in green jobs by engaging soft skills and the integrated tools identified; (ii) improve the internationalisation and climate change focus of LaSoMa HEIs through 8 staff exchange fellows; and (iii) increase cooperation among LaSoMa HEIs/Associated partners to establish additional projects focussing on climate change mitigation and creation of green jobs."