Inés Durán

What is current occupation?

I am currently following a PhD program at Instituto de Energía Solar, specifically in the group “Silicio y Nuevos Conceptos”. I study the optoelectronic properties of two-dimensional materials (such as graphene, boron nitride or MoS2) for their future application in photovoltaic generation. Furthermore, I am focused on the study of their thermoelectric properties for the development and implementation in devices capable of converting waste heating sources from vehicles, industrial processes, or power plants, into electricity.

How has the Master impacted your career?

I am committed to environmental improvements and Photovoltaic Solar Energy has the potential to lead the energy transition. I graduated in Physics, following an itinerary mostly focused on fundamental studies and, to a lesser extent, on applied studies. Participating in this Master I could learn in a very specific way about photovoltaic technology, strengthening at the same time the knowledge acquired during my university degree. This Master has had a very positive impact in my career because it has enabled me to be part of the much-needed energy transition, by working and researching on the development of photovoltaic technologies.

What aspect of the Master did you like more?

I would like to highlight the fact that this Master provides with a very wide and global vision on the field of Photovoltaic Solar Energy. I could learn and study at all its levels, starting from the fundamentals of solar cells, moving through the photovoltaic module to reach the design and analysis of photovoltaic solar systems. This knowledge is acquired combining theory lectures, simulation courses using specific softwares (Homer, PVSyst, PC1D…) and experimental laboratories (indoor and outdoor). Moreover, another important aspect is that all the professors of the Master are currently and actively working and researching on the different areas of the Photovoltaic Solar Energy sector. Consequently, a general knowledge is gained, as well as very specific and innovative knowledge on every area in line with the current stage of its development.

How do you perceive the future of the photovoltaic technology?

Undoubtedly, the future of photovoltaic technology is promising. At present, everyone knows that the development of renewable energies is essential to accomplish the challenge of reducing greenhouse gases and to contribute to a sustainable development. Photovoltaic is a renewable technology whose energy source (the sunlight) is endless, and it exists in the whole world. Furthermore, the generation of Photovoltaic Solar Energy does not produce or emit waste and polluting substances. I consider that the development and large-scale implementation of photovoltaic technology is imminent and represents the present and the near future in any of its domains, both in the research and development and in the implementation of photovoltaic generator or self-consumption installations. Additionally, this technology is sufficiently developed to leader the energy transition by increasing the installed capacity and it has an extremely large margin to exploit the solar resource. This growth directly contributes to reducing energy imports and to increasing the energy independency, generating employment and prosperity locally (photovoltaic technology is thought to be a distributed energy generation).