PARIS -- German research center Forschungszentrum Jülichannounced it is coordinating a three-year project aimed at accelerating thedevelopment and prototyping of nanotechnology-based high-efficiency thin-filmsilicon solar modules.
Recent efforts in thin-film silicon (TFSi) were made atsolving industrialization issues, researchers said. In 2010, several companiesdemonstrated 10% stable modules (> 1 m²). The major bricks for efficientproduction are now in place. Next challenges are linked to the fact that TFSimulti-junction devices, allowing for higher efficiency, are complex devices, inwhich the substrate geometry and each layer have an impact on the full device.
Project partners said they will join forces to develop a newgeneration of thin-film silicon solar modules with an efficiency of 12%. Toachieve this objective, the consortium said it will introduce novel materials,including multi-phase nanomaterials (such as doped nc-SiOx, high crystallinitync-Si materials), stable top cell materials, nanoimprinted substrates and novelor adapted transparent conductive oxides.
Researchers said they expect to design and implement idealdevice structures, taking into account the full interaction of layers inmulti-junction devices. They will also control the growth of active layers ontexture materials.
Project partners claimed they will work at processes thatcould allow a further extension of the technology such as very high rate nc-Sideposition or multi-step super-strate etching. Finally, they expect to transferprocesses, including static and dynamic plasma deposition, from the laboratoryto pilot scale, with first trials in production lines.
Indeed, partners said they expect to achieve solar cellswith 14% stable efficiency, leading to the demonstration of reliable productionsize prototypes module at 12% level.
The EU Fast Track project has a total budget of 14.4 millioneuros ($19.2 million) and is set to receive 9.3 million euros ($12.4 million)in funding from the European Commission.
The 18 project partners include Oerlikon Solar AG,SolarExcel BV, CVD Technologies Ltd, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne,Uniresearch BV, Technische Universiteit Delft, Technische Universität Dresden,Universiteit Utrecht, as well as France's CNRS.
This article was originally posted by EETimes.
