Christophe Ballif Awarded Becquerel Prize for Photovoltaics

Professor Christophe Ballif of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) has won the 2016 Becquerel Prize for his achievements in solar technology research and industrialization.

Christophe Ballif, winner of the 2016 Becquerel Prize. Courtesy of CSEM.

The award was created by the European Commission to recognize outstanding contributions by an individual to the development of solar power. Ballif has conducted research on high-efficiency crystalline heterojunction solar cells and multi-junction cells. His work ranges from materials science and interfaces in different types of solar cells to manufacturing and production processes. He has also worked on the development of reliable solar modules with architectural appeal.

Ballif heads EPFL’s photovoltaics laboratory in Neuchâtel, which focuses on fundamental research, and the Swiss Center for Electronic and Microtechnology’s (CSEM) photovoltaic center, which is devoted to transferring solar technology to industry. Ballif draws on this dual role to highlight the benefits of solar power for both the economy and society. His efforts were recognized earlier this year when CSEM won the Swiss Environmental Prize for the white solar panels developed by Ballif’s team.

The Becquerel Prize is named for French physicist Alexandre Edmond Becquerel and his discovery of the photovoltaic effect.