Objectif
The European photovoltaics PV market still represents the predominant share of worldwide installations and electricity generated from PV is becoming increasingly competitive, with an average levelized cost of energy (LCOE) estimated to be between 0.10–0.16 €/kWh in 2011 . This constant reduction of LCOE means that the European industry can only regain its competitiveness with (i) a concomitant reduction of production and investment costs (current net price level ~0.8–1.0 €/Wp today) in Europe in order to face the strong price competition of emerging countries (China and Taiwan), (ii) investment in novel “advanced” industrial processes allowing for high efficiencies and low-cost device production (iii) the development of high-end tools and processes which are more difficult to master and duplicate, securing a technology leadership. These conditions are necessary to ensure sustainable PV technology production in Europe and the construction of a robust European PV industry able to beat international competition.
However, ultra-high-efficiency PV devices require manufacturing processes that are increasingly complex, which results in an increase in the related investment and fabrication costs. Given that the market still requires a reduction of the technology price, we are left with a paradox, and we must find ways to produce high-efficiency devices with competitive industrial processes.
The concept proposed by the HERCULES project is to develop innovative n-type monocrystalline c-Si device structures based on back-contact solar cells with alternative junction formation, as well as related structures including hybrid concepts (homo-heterojunction). These concepts are the most promising technologies to reach ultra-high efficiencies with industrially relevant processes. The HERCULES strategy is to transfer the developed processes to the industrial scale by considering all major cost drivers of the entire manufacturing process chain of modules.
Champ scientifique
Appel à propositions
FP7-ENERGY-2013-1
Voir d’autres projets de cet appel
Régime de financement
CP - Collaborative project (generic)Coordinateur
75015 PARIS 15
France
Voir sur la carte
Participants (15)
80686 Munchen
Voir sur la carte
78467 Konstanz
Voir sur la carte
1015 Lausanne
Voir sur la carte
2000 Neuchatel
Voir sur la carte
31860 Emmerthal
Voir sur la carte
14109 Berlin
Voir sur la carte
75794 Paris
Voir sur la carte
08034 Barcelona
Voir sur la carte
3645 Gwatt Thun
Voir sur la carte
09337 Hohenstein Ernstthal
Voir sur la carte
278 OSLO
Voir sur la carte
75008 Paris
Voir sur la carte
2971 VL Bleskensgraaf
Voir sur la carte
1117 BUDAPEST
Voir sur la carte
92300 Levallois-Perret
Voir sur la carte