How does Unicamp's solar energy laboratory work?

The activities of the LESF (Laboratory of Energy and Photovoltaic Systems) at Unicamp (State University of Campinas) involve teaching, research and extension, with a focus on components and systems for the solar energy sector. The space, founded in 2015 and coordinated by Professor Marcelo Gradella Villalva, has public and private investments, from funding agencies such as CAPES and CNPq, in addition to partnerships with companies such as BYD Energy and Total Energies.

The resources raised by LESF provide scholarships and opportunities for undergraduate, master's and doctoral students, as well as enabling qualified doctors to settle in Brazil through the Unicamp Postdoctoral Researcher Program. The laboratory's activities are divided into two main divisions, focused on certifying equipment for the market.

The first is dedicated to research related to inverters, microinverters and power optimizers, while the second is focused on studies of degradation and quality of photovoltaic cells and modules. Since 2019, LESF has been accredited by INMETRO (National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology) for the approval of photovoltaic modules and inverters, meeting the requirements of ordinance 004/2011. 

In this same line of action, the space is currently preparing to obtain ISO 17025 certification, aiming for laboratory accreditation in accordance with international quality rules, which will enable it to meet the requirements of the new 140 / 2022 concierge from INMETRO.

Partnership with BYD Energy

The LESF photovoltaic modules division was entirely financed by an agreement established between Unicamp and BYD Energy, which has already invested around R$10 million in the partnership through an R&D (research and development) program with resources from PADIS (Program to Support Technological Development of the Semiconductor Industry), from MCTI (Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation) of the Federal Government.

In this partnership, research is carried out on performance analysis and degradation of photovoltaic cells and modules, reliability of photovoltaic modules and development of new materials for application in semiconductor devices – this last topic is carried out through a partnership with the Institute of Physics at Unicamp .

A large part of the resources contributed by BYD Energy was allocated to the acquisition of equipment for the creation of a research and testing laboratory with photovoltaic modules, the first in Brazil of its kind, which today makes it possible to carry out experiments that previously could only be carried out in international laboratories.

In addition to research, development and training of professionals, the LESF photovoltaic modules division has made it possible to increase knowledge about the quality and performance of photovoltaic modules sold in Brazil. In addition to testing for INMETRO, the laboratory has been working on creating a quality testing program for photovoltaic modules, with the aim of providing more information to consumers about the quality and actual performance of products sold in the country.

The results of this work are still preliminary and have not been made public, but LESF has already detected the presence of photovoltaic modules with lower performance than promised by manufacturers in circulation in the Brazilian market. The results of the research agreement with BYD are published in academic articles, presented at international conferences and scientific journals, in addition to being presented in tests and dissertations produced by LESF researchers.

The group has published more than 70 scientific articles in the last five years and, according to the ranking published by the Google Scholar platform, LESF researchers are among the most cited worldwide in the area of ​​photovoltaic systems.

Teaching and research at LESF

In the areas of teaching and research, LESF participates in the Unicamp Postgraduate Program, welcoming master's and doctoral students, as well as Brazilian and foreign postdoctoral researchers, and also works to offer improvement and professional training courses with Extecamp (Unicamp Extension School).

Since 2015, the laboratory has received more than 15 students (mostly professionals and entrepreneurs in the photovoltaic solar energy sector), from all regions of Brazil. Most of the professionals working in the solar energy market have already completed LESF training, which covers everything from the principles of solar energy to the design of solar power plants with the support of software, as well as practical training in the installation of photovoltaic solar energy systems.