Page 103 - ISES SWC50

Antonio Luque Lopez
Country: Spain
Year Started Research: 1976
Title of Research: Invention of the bifacial solar cell
University: Solar Energy Institute – Technical University of Madrid
Still Active in Research: Yes

Antonio Luque is a Spanish scientist and entrepreneur in photovoltaic solar energy. He graduated in
Telecommunications Engineering at Technical University of Madrid (UPM) in 1964. He obtained his PhD in 1966,
presenting the first laser developed in Spain. He soon became professor of physical electronics at the School of
Telecommunication Engineering at UPM. His early research in photovoltaic devices in the mid 70s lead to the
foundation in 1979 of the Solar Energy Institute (IES) at UPM, one of the oldest research institutions worldwide
fully devoted to photovoltaics. Prof. Luque’s scientific work has been focused on reducing the cost of solar energy
through the invention of photovoltaic novel concepts. In 1976, he invented the bifacial solar cell concept, able to
convert the light received in both sides of the cell. In 1997, he invented the intermediate band solar cell, one of the
very few solar cell concepts with potential to overcome the Shockley-Queisser limit and topic of research in many
international centers. He has also worked on solar cells and optics for concentrator photovoltaics (CPV), publishing
the first monograph in English language on the subject. Among other prizes, he has been awarded the Spanish
National Research Prize (1987), the Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel Prize awarded by the European Commission
(1992) and the IEEE William Cherry prize for research in solar energy (2006). He is also Doctor Honoris Causa
by several universities and member of the Russian Academy of Science. Founder and chairman of the board of
directors of Isofotón, company that manufactured and industrialized bifacial solar cells since the early 80s and
one of the largest silicon PV module manufacturers in the early 2000. In 2006 he founded Centesil, a public-
private partnership aimed at developing manufacturing techniques for solar-grade silicon, as well as the Institute
for Photovoltaic Concentrator Systems (ISFOC), to launch worldwide the industrialization of CPV.

Erik Lysen
Country: Netherlands
Year Started Research: 1977
Title of Research: Eindeloze Energie” (Endless Energy).
University: University of Eindhoven
Still Active in Research: Yes

Erik Lysen already started on renewable energy during his study at the University of Eindhoven. In 1977 he wrote a
book on renewable energy inspired by the report of the club of Rome. This has inspired many Dutchman to become
active in the field of renewable energy. He had several jobs as consultant. In 1992 he joined the Netherlands Energy
Agency Novem where he was head of the Solar Thermal and the PV program. The PV program grew fast under his
management. In 1996 he introduced the concept of the Trias Energica at Eurosun in Freiburg. He also was one of
the founders of the IEA PVPS program. He tried to get the ISES headquarters to the Netherlands, but Freiburg had
a slightly better offer. He later worked in the University, as chairman of Holland Solar and chairman of the Research
Board for research in the field of renewables and the build environment. In 2017 Erik received a royal distinction
from the Minister of Economic Affairs (Henk Kamp). His is still active as adviser for the government of Sri Lanka.

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