SBIR Phase I: PORTABLE SOLAR DEVICE

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to significantly reduce the installed cost of residential solar energy systems, thus enabling widespread access to renewable energy. Particular emphasis will be placed on low and moderate income communities, rural America, and renters. The new technology could potentially generate savings of 30-40% in residential electric costs. This SBIR Phase I project proposes to advance the translation of a new photovoltaic system. The project objectives include to design and create a portable on-grid solar system for residential use. This plan calls for researching and testing crystalline silicon module materials. This is done in service of developing manufacturing specifications for glassless frameless photovoltaic modules. Verification and validation plans include lifetime studies and combined accelerated stress-testing protocols. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.