Multimedia University of Kenya (MMU) and the University of Linz in Austria have embarked on a joint research initiative under EU-funded ERASMUS+ Mobility Exchange Programme, which is aimed at enhancing durability and efficiency of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules.
The two institutions hope to achieve this by testing how solar panel encapsulants—protective materials sandwiched between glass layers—perform under varying environmental conditions in Kenya and Austria.
MMU Director of Research and Innovation Dr. David Wekesa, who is also spearheading the joint research project alongside Prof. Gernot Wallner from Institute of Polymeric Materials and Solar Energy Testing in the University of Linz, Austria, said that by examining how materials like EVA, POE, and advanced TPOs react to heat, humidity, and shading, they hope to develop longer-lasting, high-efficiency solar modules for diverse climatic conditions.
Five MMU masters students—Mark Too, Faith Malei, Brigitte Omondi, Kelvin Mutua, and Nicky Mwisa, who are also part of the project, spent several months in Austria conducting experiments, alongside Austrian researchers and two PhD students, Patrick Kitavi from MMU and Thomas Luger from Austria.
Currently, Prof. Wallner and Luger are in Kenya for a three-week knowledge exchange, partnership-building, student mentorship, and long-term capacity-building mission at MMU.
Launched in 2024 and running through 2027, Dr. Wekesa said that the goal of the project is to develop solar panels that can thrive in tough environments.
By Nicanor Ndiege