Project description
Demonstrating interdigitated back contact technology as most promising choice
Twenty-one partners from the photovoltaic sector are joining forces to develop bifacial cells and modules based on the interdigitated back contact (IBC) technology. The aim of the EU-funded IBC4EU project is to create a sustainable cost-effective process. Each partner has experience in different aspects of the production chain (ingots, wafers, cells and modules). The project will show that IBC technology is the best for a fast launch of grid integration scale photovoltaics production. One of the advantages of IBC technology is that it is based on existing production technology. The project will focus on improving existing processing steps, introducing novel equipment to reduce the cost of ownership, and employing Industry 4.0 solutions for predictive maintenance, quality control and traceability.
Objective
The IBC4EU project will develop cost effective and sustainable bifacial interdigitated back contact (IBC) solar cell and module technology on pilot line level. Based on business cases from the whole value chain – ingot, wafer, cell and module – we will demonstrate that IBC technology is the most promising choice for a fast launch of GW scale PV production in the EU. Cost competitiveness not only against future heterojunction (HJT) and Tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) technology but also present-day PERC and PERC technology will be demonstrated for the polyZEBRA and POLO IBC cell designs. To reach this goal, cost-effective production equipment will be developed and eco-design approaches will be employed to reduce the need for scarce materials such as silicon metal and silver and to maintain indium-free design. Pilot lines, interlinked on all levels of production, will help to reach GW scale mass production not only on cell but also on ingot, wafer and module level until 2030. The advantage of the chosen IBC technology is that it is based on existing production technology. Thus, the project will focus on improving existing processing steps on already available equipment, introducing some novel equipment to reduce the cost of ownership, and employing Industry 4.0 solutions for predictive maintenance, quality control and traceability. The feasibility of the chosen technologies and the innovative products will be evaluated by business-related parameters as well as performance characteristics which will be tested according to the relevant standards and in demo sites. The environmental impact will be monitored closely and eco-design approaches will be used to reduce the CO2 footprint, increase the resource efficiency and recyclability and improve in terms of circularity potential.
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Programme(s)
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HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation ActionsCoordinator
78467 Konstanz
Germany
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Participants (17)
10423 Vilnius
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278 OSLO
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1525 RG Westknollendam
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35013 Cittadella
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3001 Leuven
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75015 PARIS 15
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2595 DA Den Haag
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31860 Emmerthal
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93303 Jerusalem
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
09599 Freiberg
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
81369 Muenchen
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
08412 Vilnius
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
50150 Mikkeli
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
79108 FREIBURG IM BREISGAU
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
06909 ANKARA
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1332 Rixensart
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
66750 Saint-Cyprien
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Partners (4)
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
89143 Blaubeuren
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Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
30827 Garbsen
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Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
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Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
78148 Guetenbach
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