Solliance realizes first up-scaled Perovskite based PV modules with 10% efficiency

Publication date : 09/05/2016

Holst Centre, imec and ECN pave the road to upscaling Perovskite PV modules

Eindhoven, Leuven, May 9, 2016 - Solliance demonstrates a record 10% aperture area power conversion efficiency for its up-scaled thin-film perovskite photovoltaic modules. The efficiency was measured on an aperture area of 168 cm2. Twenty-five cells were serial connected through an optimized P1, P2, P3 interconnection technology. The PV module was realized on a 6x6 inch2 glass substrate using industrial scale-able slot die coating in combination with laser patterning. Further, the PV module was packaged by applying a flexible barrier using a lamination process.

This result could be realized due to the intensive collaboration within Solliance. Based on previous optimization on  16 cm2 modules, the Solliance team was able to quickly transfer this to a 6x6 inch2 sized glass substrate using the developed blade coating process and the optimized mechanical patterning technology. In this case a 156 cm2 aperture area module with 10% efficiency was realized comprising of twenty-four interconnected cells. This was then used as starting point for the realization of above mentioned 168 cm2 PV module.

These results demonstrate the up-scalability of this new thin film PV technology. Apart from the electrodes currently used, all layers can be processed in ambient environment and at temperatures below 120⁰C. This shows the low production cost potential of this new emerging thin film PV technology. Further, the deposition and interconnection technologies used for obtaining these results are industrially available for Sheet-to-Sheet as well as for Roll-to-Roll manufacturing. The latter allows for creating high volume production in the future.

The current world record efficiency of a small lab scale perovskite based PV cell is 22.1%. “The challenge is to upscale perovskite cells to larger size industrially process-able modules with high efficiency and long lifetimes at low cost. The current result, presented on an aperture area comparable to standard commercial silicon solar cells, shows that Solliance, with its in depth know how on processing of organic PV and CIGS and its vast Sheet-to-Sheet and Roll-to-Roll pilot production infrastructure, is excellently placed to realize this upscaling. These 10% up-scaled perovskite based PV modules are first and important steps in this development. We are confident  to boost quickly the up-scaled Perovskite based PV module efficiency further above 15% by using very low cost materials and processes. But besides demonstrating the up-scalability of these highly efficient Perovskite based PV devices, we are also currently working hard to stabilize further the performance of these devices under real life operational conditions”, explains Ronn Andriessen, Program Manager of the Perovskite based PV program at Solliance.

Solliance is conducting advanced research on the development of Perovskite based PV modules and its applications with its industrial partners Nano-C, Solartek, DyeSol and Panasonic. With this result the Solliance R&D partners and their industrial partners demonstrate the strength of their research framework for the development of industrial Perovskite based PV modules.

About Solliance

Solliance is a partnership of R&D organizations working in thin-film photovoltaic solar energy (PV) in the ELAT region (Eindhoven-Leuven-Aachen). In order to strengthen the region’s position as a world player in PV, Solliance is creating the required synergy by consolidating and coordinating the activities of industry, research institutes and universities. Solliance partners are: ECN, imec, TNO, Holst Centre, TU/e, Forschungszentrum Jülich , University Hasselt and Delft University of Technology. Solliance is supported by the Dutch province of North Brabant, which has dedicated € 28 million to Solliance. On June 12, 2014 Solliance opened a new large shared laboratory at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven with the newest unique equipment, mostly pre-pilot production facilities, complementing the partner’s labs which are also available to the other partners. In order to make optimal use of these lab facilities, they are open to valorization programs in joint research with industry. Solliance collaborates with all main companies and institutes in the world. Solliance offers participation in its research and opens up its lab facilities to new entrants, either from industry or in research. On the basis of clear Intellectual Property (IP) agreements, each industrial partner can participate in this research effort, or alternatively, hire equipment and experts to further develop its own technology.
See: www.solliance.eu

Contact Solliance:

Huib van den Heuvel, tel. +31 (0)88 5154985 or +31 (0)6 23113126, vandenheuvel@solliance.eu