From our industry-leading solar energy research to our photovoltaic installations across our campuses, Northumbria is a prominent player in the renewable energy sector.
In the Spotlight: Northumbria Photovoltaics and ReNU
We have a strong reputation for our innovative renewable energy research. Our research group Northumbria University Photovoltaics (NUPV) focuses on developing new materials and devices for efficient, sustainable conversion of energy from sunlight. We also lead the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Renewable Energy Northeast Universities (ReNU), an added value doctoral training programme funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
At a Glance: From Our Research to Our Operations
- Northumbria University Photovoltaics is one of Europe’s leading institutes in terms of research into solar cells. Its research focuses on tangible progress such as cost reduction, increasing efficiency and sustainability.
- We co-lead the £5.2 million Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Renewable Energy Northeast Universities centre (ReNU), which is a collaboration between Northumbria, Newcastle and Durham Universities. Researchers at ReNU work to create and develop new materials and devices that will convert energy into power at the point of use.
- We are a part of the North East Energy Catalyst project, an initiative to coordinate energy innovation and catalyse an integrated energy system solution in the region.
- Our researchers are heading the €4M (£3.3M) Innova MicroSolar project which aims to design a new high performance solar heating and power system.
- We are one of the thee universities involved in the North East Centre for Energy Materials (NECEM) project where we help drive £2.25 million research which aims to develop low-cost, scalable light absorbing materials to capture energy from the sun.
- One of our professors has played a key part in a £220 million UK-China offshore wind technology project, the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.
- Five large photovoltaic arrays can be found across our City and Coach Lane Campuses. Together they generate approximately 250,000 kWh per year.
- We are home to the UK’s first building integrated photovoltaic installation – our Northumberland Building array was installed in 1995 and is still fully operational.
