Objective
The overall objective of this project is the creation of an ITN network for the structured interdisciplinary training of researchers in advanced thin film photovoltaic (PV) technologies.
The project proposes the development of new technologies compatible with the cost, efficiency, sustainability and mass production requirements that are needed to become a
reliable and future alternative to conventional non renewable energy sources. With this objective in mind, the project will focus on the development of kesterite based solar cells.
Kesterites are quaternary compounds with a crystalline structure very similar to that of chalcopyrites (CIGS: Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2). They have a strong potential for thin film low cost
PV technologies, related to their direct bandgap and high optical absorption. In contrast with CIGS -where the potential for high mass production is compromised by
the scarcity of In- they are constituted by abundant elements.
For this, a consortium formed by research institutes, universities and companies with strongly complementary expertises has been formed. This includes groups that are leaders
on the development of kesterite cells (Univ. Northumbria, HZB, Univ. Luxembourg) with groups with strong expertise on CIGS technologies (that are the parent technologies for
kesterite solar cells) (EMPA, UU-ASC, NEXCIS, IREC, Free Univ. Berlin, Univ. d'Aix-Marseille, Autonomous Univ. Madrid). Free Univ. Berlin has also significant experience in the
crystalline analysis of kesterites. Involvement of private companies (NEXCIS, Abengoa) devoted to the production and exploitation of PV technologies provides with complementary training aspects related to transferability of processes to industrial production and exploitation issues. All these aspects are relevant for the definition of a
structured interdisciplinary training programme for the formation of high level researchers that will be required in Europe for the development of competitive PV technologies.
Fields of science
Call for proposal
FP7-PEOPLE-2012-ITN
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
MC-ITN - Networks for Initial Training (ITN)Coordinator
08930 Sant Adria De Besos
Spain