As a part of his Departmental Honors thesis, Greenville College senior Physics and Math major Beau Meredith tested CGS and CGS/c-SI tandem solar cells to discover the cells' radiation hardness. Donated to Greenville College by Dr.David Young '87, of the National Renewable Energy aboratory (NREL), the cells are used in space as an energy source.

Meredith worked with advisor Dr.Hugh Siefken during his study.

Meredith 's tests measure the efficiency of the cells at converting light into usable energy forms, under the type of radiation bombardment the cells would receive in space.Meredith researched the performance of the cells exposed to ion radiation which indicates the cells' radiation hardness. In creating the tandem cell, the NREL hopes to find a low cost renewable energy source.

The CGS/c-Si tandem cell performance characteristics did not decrease significantly in Meredith 's experiments. “The reason that result is significant,” said Meredith, “is that this particular cell is a laboratory curiosity. The properties of it have not been studied extensively.The radiation hardness of this cell has not been tested.”

Dr.Young agrees that Meredith's research is unique. “This is one of the first experiments done with the tandem cell,” said Dr.Young.

Solar cells, used most commonly in space as an energy resource, convert light into useful energy. Satellites depend on solar cells because a limitless supply of light energy is available from the sun.

“One goal at the lab is to help educate the next generation,” said Dr.Young. “We want to build connections with undergrads to inspire them to go on to grad school.”

NREL strives to create renewable energy sources to combat use of heavy fossil fuel moving dependency over to renewable energy sources and lessening reliance on other countries for fuel. Established in 1974 as the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), President George Bush designated it a national laboratory in 1991, changing its name to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and making it the U.S.Department of Energy 's premier laboratory for renewable energy research.