The Energy Center, College of Engineering, KNUST hosted an expert from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, UK, in January 2016 to train KNUST PhD Researcher on PV Modelling and Reliability using the ANSYS Software.

Dr. Emeka Hyginus Amalu is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with a speciality in PV and electronic assembly interconnection modelling using ANSYS Finite Element Analysis Simulation Software. The PhD research work seeks to evaluate the effect of test and operating temperatures on the creep damage of interconnections in photovoltaic modules, analyse the effect of test and operating temperatures on fatigue life, evaluate the degradation of different lead-free solder formulations in photovoltaic interconnections operating in Sub-Saharan Africa and optimize the thermo-mechanical reliability of solder joints in photovoltaic modules operating in Sub-Saharan African region.

The results of the work could help manufacturers in product development of PV modules installed within sub-Sahara Africa.

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