Technology and R&D

KIT scientists have researched the underlying physical mechanisms of perovskites to understand the reason for their high efficiency potential. For the first time proof for nanostructures in the perovskite layers has been provided.

Researchers from the Abu Dhabi based Masdar Institute and the renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology have jointly published the development of a fabrication method, which they say could make high efficiency semiconductor materials such as gallium-arsenide, indium phosphide and others more competitive with crystalline silicon.

A team of researchers from École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the Swiss center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM) has developed a new process for fabricating cells with all electrical contacts at the rear. According to EPFL, the process has already achieved lab efficiencies in excess of 23%.

Scientists at Swiss research center École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne have published research showing how the presence of light can affect perovskite film formation. The study could result in higher efficiencies and better reproducibility in perovskite cell production.

The Solar Superheroes made their live action debut at the SNEC show in 2016, and this year they returned, once again drawing huge crowds wherever they prowled or performed.

The new technology is designed to capture the spectral components of longer wavelengths that are usually lost during transmission through the solar cell. The Japanese scientists are using up-conversion of below-gap photons to reduce power losses and increase the cell efficiency.

Researchers from NREL, Fraunhofer ISE and Japan’s AIST have released a new paper which looks at the barriers to deploying multiple terawatts of solar PV and what can be done to overcome them.

German equipment supplier 4JET microtech has launched its new MPCT solution which it says will enable laser edge deletion, bus bar exposure and via drilling operations in CIGS glass substrates.

The Belgian research institute has improved the efficiency of its 4x4cm² perovskite module by 1.1%.

Schmid Group and MacDermid Enthone have been selected as pv magazine’s 2017 Technology Highlights award winners. In late March, the prize jury of industry experts met to select the winners, from a shortlist of eight innovative new PV production equipment and materials. Dozens of entries to the award were received from suppliers worldwide. Alongside the two winners, the jury selected Sinton Instruments as worthy of special commendation as having provided the ‘Technology to Watch’ in 2017.