Project description
Shining a light on cost-efficient and lightweight thin-film solar cells
In the pursuit of decarbonising the energy landscape and meeting climate goals for 2030 and 2050, the EU has embarked on an ambitious journey. Photovoltaic (PV) technology stands as a key player in achieving climate neutrality, targeting 30 % (10 TW) of the world’s energy demand by 2050, as outlined in the SET Plan. However, traditional PV production has raised concerns due to its environmental impact, high energy demand for production, and reliance on scarce or hazardous materials. The MSCA-funded BOOSTPV project aims to revolutionise PV technology by developing new absorbers and proof-of-concept thin film solar cells based on eco-friendly and abundant bismuth chalcogenide PV materials. This approach will leverage low-temperature processes, ensuring resource efficiency, high yields, and scalability.
Objective
The EU set an ambitious goal towards decarbonising the energy system and to reach climate objectives in 2030/2050. PV is recognized as one of the key renewable energy solution to fulfil the climate-neutrality, defined by strategical SET-plan target of 30% (10TW) world’s energy demand by 2050. To meet these goals in an economically and environmentally meaningful way, energy demand and CO2 emissions for the production of PV cells must be well below those of mainstream crystalline silicon. Today’s available highly efficient thin film (tf) PV technologies relies on scarce elements (indium in CIGS; tellurium in CdTe) or contains elements like lead or cadmium that fall under the EU RoHS-directive. BOOSTPV proposes development of novel absorbers and proof of concept tf solar cells entirely based on emerging, low-cost, earth abundant and green bismuth chalcogenide PV materials. The approach is based on a rapid technological development of low temperature processes, using robust, resource saving, high yield and easily scalable close spaced sublimation technique. BOOSTPV will promote the research excellence of the fellow and research group via two-way transfer of knowledge, strengthening their expertise and innovation at international level. Cost-efficient, stable and lightweight tf solar cells will be fabricated, using processes with reduced environmental impact and carbon footprint, paving a solid base for further development and deployment of ground-breaking technologies that will feed the innovation cycle, progress in BIPV/PIPV application variability and support the value chain of the next generation PV in EU.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energy
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrypost-transition metals
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrymetalloids
- engineering and technologycivil engineeringarchitecture engineeringsustainable architecturesustainable building
Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European FellowshipsCoordinator
12616 Tallinn
Estonia