IEC’s broad scope of research and solar technologies spans the fields of physics, chemistry, materials science, electrical, chemical and mechanical engineering and more.

Our outstanding talent, facilities and labs, and vast array of equipment allow for sophisticated research into thin-film based solar cells, photovoltaic systems and related engineering topics.

With 50 years of hands-on experience with photovoltaics,IEC has long been a go-to research and development resource.

IEC is staffed by experienced professionals dedicated to serving the needs of our users — from state-of-the-art science academic research to resource development. We look forward to working with you!

“IEC was a trailblazer in another area,” said Larry Kazmerski, long-time director of Science and Technology at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado. “It provided us with the first woman of solar energy. Maria Telkes made huge contributions in solar and did a lot in solar thermal storage. And this provided a pathway, recognizing that women should have a part in science as well.”

Job creation has been a key policy driver, said John Byrne, UD’s Distinguished Professor of Energy and Climate Policy, director of the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy and an affiliate of IEC.“Solar creates more jobs per million dollars of investment — two to five times as many as other new electrical generation methods,” he said. “I’d love to say it was the zero-carbon footprint, but it was jobs.”

“What excites me about the future of IEC and solar research in general is that there is now a very strong and clear awareness of the need for renewable carbon-free energy,” said Steven Hegedus, senior scientist at IEC and a professor of electrical and computer engineering.“There are billions and billions of dollars going into clean technology and solar is one of the biggest beneficiaries of that. The question is, can we get this all to happen quick enough to offset the worst effects of climate change that we’re headed toward?”