Objective
Photovoltaic (PV) energy will play an important role in the electricity generation of the future. On the medium term it will stimulate the creation of a dynamic new high-tech manufacturing segment. Todays mainstream PV production is based on crystalline Si , whereas amorphous Si deposited on glass in batch processes are entering the mass market with the lowest price per Wp (2.5 Eu/Wp). This project will go a step further and contribute to the extension of the PV market, by developing equipment and new proces ses for the roll-to-roll production of high-efficiency thin film silicon photovoltaic modules. This technology will have decisive advantages for the fabrication of low-cost modules, with unsurpassed capability for building integration. The consortium forme d by equipment manufacturers, module producers, and research institutes will target the following objectives: -Working out of novel concepts, designing new production equipment, and implementing manufacturing systems for roll-to-roll preparation of a-Si/mc -Si modules on plastic and metal foils. This will include systems for monolithic integration of the cells in modules by roll-to-roll laser scribing and screen-printing. -Developing new processes for roll-to-roll pilot-lines and fabricating tandem a-Si/mc-S i solar cells with efficiencies > 11% and modules with efficiencies >10% on flexible substrates, with novel encapsulation processes for product lifetime higher than 20 years. - Blueprint planning of complete roll-to-roll modular production lines with capacities >10 MW/year and with module production costs of 0.5 Eu/Wp, with a benchmarking in terms of life cycle analysis against c-Si silicon and other thin film technologies. The project will not only allow the module manufacturers to implement new e quipment and processes in their production lines, but will also allow the equipment manufacturers to construct and sell equipment for complete production lines producing unbreakable modules at unbeatable costs
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectrical engineeringpower engineeringelectric power generation
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrymetalloids
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticslaser physics
Call for proposal
FP6-2004-ENERGY-3
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
STREP - Specific Targeted Research ProjectCoordinator
NEUCHÂTEL
Switzerland