A guest lecture on “Solar Energy Conversion Systems” was organized on 31.08.18 at Cute Hall organized by the department of Mechatronics Engineering, Paavai Engineering College, Namakkal. Dr.M. Premkumar, Principal, Paavai Engineering College, presided over the inaugural function. Mr. Srigokulnath.M, II-year Mechatronics Engineering, welcomed the gathering. Dr.S. Manikandan, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kancheepuram, was the Chief Guest. Mr.D.R.P.Rajarathnam, Head of the Mechatronics Engineering Department graced the occasion. Dr.M. Premkumar, in his presidential address, stated that Solar power either through directly converting sunlight into electricity by using Photovoltaics (PV) or by indirect use of concentrated solar energy has a competitive edge over other sources in terms of cost and may serve to sustain the lives of millions of under privileged people in developing countries. He also emphasized on the importance of completing an internship and making it worthwhile. The Chief Guest, Dr.S. Manikandan started the talk with giving a brief statistic on the global demand for energy is currently growing beyond the limits of installable generation. His talk also focused on the recent trends to decrease the cost of the energy generation either by introducing the low cost processing techniques or to increase the efficiency of the solar cells. He listed down many new technologies include photo-electrochemical cells, polymer solar cells, quantum dot, tandem / multi-junction solar cells, up -conversion and down-conversion, surface plasmonic, nano-crystal solar cells and other novel innovations and inventions. All the students of the final year & pre final year students and faculty members attended the talk and interacted with the resource person. In the end, Mr. B. Nithish Kumar, Third year Mechatronics proposed the vote of thanks.
