A combined investment of $34.95 million from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative will bolster solar research at Arizona State University, renewing support for a long-standing effort to advance photovoltaic technology. The funding will support the work of Christiana Honsberg and her team at QESST, an Engineering Research Center launched in 2011, focused on overcoming barriers to sustainable solar electricity generation. QESST is designed to set the solar industry on a path to terawatt levels of installed PV generation in 15 to 20 years, a goal that requires improvements in material science, energy conversion, and manufacturing approaches. This renewed commitment signals confidence in QESST’s decade of progress and its potential to significantly expand the role of photovoltaic technology in U.S. electricity production.
QESST’s $34.95 Million SunShot Initiative for Photovoltaic Advancement
Launched in 2011, QESST, an Engineering Research Center, is now positioned to build upon over a decade of progress, focusing on silicon cells, tandem PV cell architectures, and improving performance through manufacturable, sustainable solar technologies. Researchers are aiming for more than incremental gains, envisioning a future where photovoltaic systems dominate new U.S. electricity production, a goal supported by collaborative efforts involving faculty, researchers, and scientists from both established companies and emerging start-ups. The scope of QESST extends beyond materials science; the team is actively working to improve energy conversion processes and refine advanced manufacturing techniques for photovoltaic technologies. This research is not confined to the laboratory, as QESST also prioritizes the development of educational programs spanning K-12 students, university undergraduates and graduates, and public outreach initiatives, all designed to foster a skilled workforce and broader public understanding of solar energy.
Beyond technological advancements, QESST is focused on addressing the challenges of integrating large quantities of PV power onto the electricity grid, emphasizing sustainability and reliability. The center’s work encompasses advancements in surface science, photonics, nanofabrication, and the creation of new multifunctional energy conversion devices, all intended to support the scaling up of new solar technologies into large-scale manufacturing. By simultaneously advancing both the science and the educational pipeline, QESST intends to positively impact solar growth nationwide and ensure the continued expansion of the PV industry.
Silicon Cells, Tandem Architectures, and Sustainable Grid Integration Research
Launched in 2011, QESST’s sustained investment reflects a proven record of progress in photovoltaic research, extending beyond incremental improvements to explore innovative cell designs that layer thin-film or III-V absorbers onto traditional silicon substrates. This approach aims to capture a broader spectrum of sunlight, exceeding the limitations of single-junction silicon cells and driving towards higher energy conversion rates. Researchers are not solely focused on laboratory performance; a core objective is demonstrating the manufacturability and long-term viability of these technologies through dedicated test beds. These facilities assess how new solar technologies integrate into existing electrical grids, addressing critical barriers to widespread adoption and ensuring sustainable performance at scale.
The team is concentrating on material science improvements related to surfaces, interfaces, and defects, alongside advancements in photonics and nanofabrication techniques, all geared towards enhancing energy conversion processes. Program documentation states that “QESST is implementing new approaches to enhance performance, reduce cost, and enable new functionality,” signaling a commitment to holistic innovation. This target necessitates not only technological breakthroughs but also a robust educational pipeline, with programs designed to train the next generation of solar scientists and engineers at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. QESST actively engages K-12 students and the general public, fostering broader understanding and support for solar energy, a strategy intended to positively impact the industry and facilitate continued growth across the country.
