Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SolMates (Scaleable High-Power Output and Low Cost Made-to-Measure Tandem Solar Modules Enabling Specialised PV Applications)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2023-12-01 al 2025-05-31
SolMates aims to provide a novel industrial, scalable technology for producing flexible, durable, made-to-measure, two-terminal CIGSe/perovskite multijunction thin-film PV modules. By optimized matching of narrow bandgap CIGS bottom cells on flexible substrates (steel, polyimide and flexible glass) with wide bandgap perovskite top cells, a conversion efficiency higher than 30% (1cm²) will be reached. The focus on roll-to-roll compatible large-area high-rate deposition techniques for both layer systems in combination with the development of in-line quality control units for defect detection will lead to a minimized cell-to-module gap and full industrial scale-up after the project ends. SolMates will demonstrate a 100 cm² flexible, lightweight, durable, encapsulated monolithic interconnected tandem thin-film module with more than 25%. Due to a unique serial interconnection the made-to-measure production of highly efficient PV modules in respect to shape, size and output voltage based on multijunction solar cells will become a reality. The developed technologies boost the power output of flexible thin-film PV, paving the way for the uptake of long-awaited applications such as integrated PV. By exploiting already existing surfaces for solar energy generation, land-use conflicts will be minimized and the total costs for PV can be reduced. The involved, innovation driven SMEs will cooperate with the research partners to facilitate a pathway to mass production, low-cost, roll-to-roll fabrication of SolMates’ PV technology and strengthen the EU PV value chain. The environmental footprint of the technology, which is inherently low for thin film devices with thin, flexible, lightweight substrates and encapsulation, will be carefully assessed with respect to SolMates' recycling strategy. Possible end-use applications will be reviewed and a long-term vision, focusing on the environmental, social and economic benefits of utilizing PV in our daily lives will be developed.
A novel sustainable Process with methylammonium formate in combination with ultrasonication proved to be the most promising method to reach this KPO. This process will be further developed in the second period of the project.
For automated classification of bottom device defects an AI tool was developed. The origin of relevant defects (from the bottom cell) are understood and production process will adjusted accordingly for prevention.
An optical and electrical model was successfully developed, and calibrated with the record cell of 27% fabricated in the WP3. The validated model was then used to explore potential performance improvements. Simulations indicate that reducing defect density in the perovskite layer, particularly those linked to substrate roughness, could significantly increase both Voc and fill factor, opening the potential to reach an efficiency of 31.2%. Additional optical optimization could push the efficiency to 34%, in line with the Shockley–Queisser (SQ) limit for a 1.63 eV top cell, 1.05 eV bottom sub-cell to be used in this project.
The new method of using SEM insitu micro-robots for analysing microcells with EBIC is working well. The development of prevention strategies is in progress. The Results will be presented in 1-2 scientific peer-reviewed publications.
A prototype of the perovskite tandem solar cell database has been developed. This resource is designed to go beyond CIGS-perovskite tandems and will also include data on perovskite/silicon and perovskite/perovskite tandem architectures. The database is being built upon curated data extracted from peer-reviewed literature and structured for public accessibility. It aims to support comparative analysis, materials discovery, and data-driven optimization by the wider research community. The public release of the first version of the database is planned in the coming months.
For automated classification of bottom device defects an AI tool was developed. The origin of relevant defects (from the bottom cell) are understood and production process will adjusted accordingly for prevention.
An optical and electrical model was successfully developed, and calibrated with the record cell of 27% fabricated in the WP3. The validated model was then used to explore potential performance improvements. Simulations indicate that reducing defect density in the perovskite layer, particularly those linked to substrate roughness, could significantly increase both Voc and fill factor, opening the potential to reach an efficiency of 31.2%. Additional optical optimization could push the efficiency to 34%, in line with the Shockley–Queisser (SQ) limit for a 1.63 eV top cell, 1.05 eV bottom sub-cell to be used in this project.
The new method of using SEM insitu micro-robots for analysing microcells with EBIC is working well. The development of prevention strategies is in progress. The Results will be presented in 1-2 scientific peer-reviewed publications.
A prototype of the perovskite tandem solar cell database has been developed. This resource is designed to go beyond CIGS-perovskite tandems and will also include data on perovskite/silicon and perovskite/perovskite tandem architectures. The database is being built upon curated data extracted from peer-reviewed literature and structured for public accessibility. It aims to support comparative analysis, materials discovery, and data-driven optimization by the wider research community. The public release of the first version of the database is planned in the coming months.
A novel sustainable Process with methylammonium formate in combination with ultrasonication proved to be the most promising method to reach this KPO. This process will be further developed in the second period of the project.