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Fine Line Dispensing Process to apply Narrow Metal Contacts onto Solar Cells

Project description

Innovative approach to reducing metal contacts in solar cells without sacrificing efficiency

HighLine Technology GmbH is a spin-off from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems that is redefining the standard metallisation process in silicon solar cell production. The EU-funded HighLine project is supporting the company in developing its fine-line dispensing technology. This solution enables cell producers to precisely apply thinner contacts, reduces silver needs by 25 %, increases conversion efficiency by 1 %, and increases throughput by 50 %. The innovative technology should optimise both current passivated emitter and rear cells and future heterojunction cells despite the latter requiring more than double the silver.

Objective

HighLine Technology GmbH is a ISE spin-off from Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems with exclusive IP rights to redefine the standard METALLIZATION process to apply the small contact lines made of silver onto Si-solar cells.
With silver costs for metallization as the 2nd most expensive step in solar cell production, the PV industry is being responsible for >10% of the global silver demand.
When it comes to cell efficiency, mainstream PERC cells have achieved max 23.5% efficiency and 0.05/kW cost limits. The promising next step in cell technology/efficiency with Heterojunction cells (HJT) requires more than double the silver laydown compromising industry adoption despite its efficiency benefits above 26%.
Designed to streamline metallization for today (PERC) and future (HJT) cells, HighLine FINE-LINE DISPENSING TECHNOLOGY enables cell producers the precise application of thinner contacts at 25% lower silver needs, 1% efficiency gains and 50% higher throughput.

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-EIC-ACC-BF - HORIZON EIC Accelerator Blended Finance

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2022-ACCELERATOR-01

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Coordinator

HIGHLINE TECHNOLOGY GMBH
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 2 500 000,00
Address
TULLASTRASSE 87B
79108 FREIBURG IM BREISGAU
Germany

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Baden-Württemberg Freiburg Freiburg im Breisgau, Stadtkreis
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 3 575 916,25
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