A team of researchers from Multimedia University of Kenya (MMU), led by Director of Research and Innovation Dr. David Wekesa, has been making strides in renewable energy research during a ten-month postdoctoral exchange program at the University of Linz, Austria, under the European Union’s Erasmus+ Mobility Exchange Programme.
The initiative, which began in September 2024, involves five MMU postgraduate students—Mark Too, Faith Malei, Brigitte Omondi, Kelvin Mutua, and Nicky Mwisa—who joined Dr. Wekesa in collaborative research focused on enhancing performance and durability of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules.
The MMU team, hosted by Prof. Gernot M. Wallner, Director of the Institute of Polymeric Materials and Solar Energy Testing at the University of Linz, is examining how different solar panel encapsulant materials, such as EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate), POE (polyolefin elastomer), and TPOs (thermoplastic polyolefins), perform under environmental stress.
These materials are vital for protecting solar cells from degradation caused by heat, humidity, and shading.
“In our experiments, we are exploring renewable energy materials, particularly the encapsulants used in PV modules. We are testing their durability in extreme conditions to discover solutions that make solar technology more reliable and efficient globally,” explained Dr. Wekesa.
The Erasmus+ programme, funded by the EU, supports both academic exchange and cutting-edge research through joint data collection, mentorship, and the development of scholarly publications.
Dr. Wekesa recently held a seminar with the Kenyan students at Linz to assess research progress and provide academic guidance.
Beyond laboratory, the program has offered hands-on research opportunities to early-career scientists while also mentoring PhD students like Patrick Kitavi from MMU and Thomas Luge from Austria.
The research program will continue through 2027, offering long-term insights into material performance and solar technology improvement.
By Nicanor Ndiege