About Us
The Oklahoma Photovoltaics Research Institute is a statewide consortium focused upon education and research programs related to next generation solar cells. This multidisciplinary Institute comprises of faculty members (both experimental and theoretical) from Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, and Engineering from all three major research Universities in Oklahoma: Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Tulsa, in addition to industrial partners within the state.
The primary goal of the Institution is to foster active and sustainable collaboration across Oklahoma in research, education, and outreach and to focus and consolidate resources in terms of both expertise and infrastructure to support such efforts. Members of the Institute are committed to supporting Colleges and Schools around the state in the development of such programs, and providing opportunities and access to the resources where possible.
A significant goal of the Institute is also to facilitate active involvement of undergraduate students from Oklahoma in PV research, and to establish and strengthen existing collaborative programs that leverage state and federal funding to promote and encourage participation in PV research across Oklahoma.
Collaboration and engagement with the members is strongly encouraged and we as a group are committed to encourage and support research in photovoltaics and renewable energy throughout the Sooner State. This includes helping and partnering with local colleges and schools who have an interest in PV research or education, and to provide experimental resources and expertise to enable growth of such programs throughout Oklahoma.
If you are interested in becoming an active member of the Institute, or would like help to develop programs of study and/or research in photovoltaics, we encourage you to contact members of the Institute and we will help in any way we can!
Recent and Current Statewide Funding
- `A Nanostructured Energy Harvesting and Storage System for Space and Terrestrial Applications' (NASA EPSCoR: NNX13AN01A: 9/01/2013 – 8/31/2016)
- `Extracting the Photonic Spectrum for the Long Range Exploration of Space: A Hybrid Photovoltaic Photon Upconversion and Biological System for Energy Production and Life Support' (NASA EPSCoR: NNX15AM75A: 9/01/2015 – 8/31/2018)
- `High Efficiency Dilute Nitrides Solar Cells for Space Applications' (NASA EPSCoR: NNX16AQ97A: 9/01/2016 – 8/31/2019)
- `Cogenra-ARPA-E Novation Subcontract by DOE : Design and assembly of laminated PV-Thermal Modules' (Department of Energy ARPA-E: 01/01/2017 – 12/01/2018)