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Technological developments
through SenterNovem. (GIST), said the solar cells developed by module construction of silicon solar cell
ECN developed the new module them reached an unprecedented energy panels and has built Risø’s polymer solar
design and manufacturing process efficiency rate of 6.2%. cells into their design. The panel is placed
based on a solar cell design with all “This is the highest number reached on a tracker which follows the movement
contacts on the rear. ECN’s rear-contact by any single-layer plastic, organic photo- of the sun. The generated power is added
technology is based on metallization voltaic solar cell created in the world to to the grid.
wrap-through (MWT) solar cells, which date and should greatly help commercial Collaboration with the industry seeks
are interconnected in modules using use of power generation using sunlight,” to promote the industrialization of polymer
conductive adhesives and a patterned Lee, a material science professor at the solar cells in Denmark and if this succeeds,
conductive foil. This has similarities state-run laboratory, said. The scientists polymer solar cells can become a ground-
with surface mounting of electronic said they used a new material that has breaking energy technology to be used in
components on a printed circuit board. In “open circuit voltage” properties and Denmark and also for export. With such
MWT cells, the front electrode is “wrapped titanium oxide to bring about high a goal-oriented effort polymer solar cells
through” small vias in the cell, so that it efficiency. can become another Danish sustainable
can be contacted at the rear, in parallel If fully developed, the solar cells, which energy technology with tremendous export
with the rear-side electrode. can easily bend, could be attached to coats, potential.
The MWT technology significantly bags, various electronic appliances and
improves the module conversion efficiency. building windows, Yonhap news agency Suntech’s pluto Technology raises
Metal strips are used in standard modules reported. The breakthrough has been efficiencies of mono- crystalline
to connect the front of one cell with the confirmed by the US National Renewable
and multi-crystalline pV cells
rear of a neighboring cell. These strips Energy Laboratory and published in the
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd., is
block part of the incoming light, and latest on-line edition of international
utilizing its Pluto technology to produce
require spaces between the cells, leading to journal of Nature Photonics.
PV cells with conversion efficiencies of
a lower packing density of cells and thus to
approximately 19% on mono-crystalline
a lower module efficiency. In addition, the polymer solar cell plant hooked up
PV cells and 17% on multi-crystalline PV
use of a patterned conductive foil results in to grid in Denmark
cells.
lower resistance losses than for strips, also Danish researchers have connected a
Suntech recently sent a number of
leading to higher module efficiencies. The polymer solar cell plant to an electrical grid
Pluto PV cells to the Fraunhofer Institute
second benefit of MWT is that very thin in a successful world-first demonstration
for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Germany
and fragile solar cells can be used. of how the promising renewable energy
for third party verification. The Fraunhofer
The world record module was built technology can be integrated into power
Institute test results included a mono-
with 36 cells of 120 micron thickness only, systems. Risø’s solar energy programme
crystalline Pluto PV cell with a conversion
much thinner than the 180-200 micron as has been conducting research into
efficiency of 18.8% and a multi-crystalline
practiced by industry. polymer solar cells, a cheap alternative to
Pluto PV cell with a conversion efficiency
The MWT technology uses pick- existing silicon-based solar cells. Research
of 17.2%. Both PV cells were produced on
and-place cell handling in combination is now at such an advanced stage that a
Suntech’s 34MW Pluto production line
with conductive adhesives. This gives a demonstration plant has been built at Risø
utilizing solar grade silicon wafers.
minimum of mechanical and thermal DTU.
The patent-pending Pluto technology
impact and stress throughout the From the beginning Risø’s research
is based on the PERL technology
manufacturing process. The combination into solar cells based on polymer materials
developed by the University of NSW in
of higher performance and more efficient has had a strong focus on production,
Australia, which has achieved a world
manufacturing leads to lower costs of the demonstration and application. As part of
record efficiency of 25% in the laboratory.
modules and of solar electricity generation. an experiment made in cooperation with
Pluto should improve power output by
The modules made with this technology the companies Mekoprint A/S and Gaia
approximately 12% above conventional
are already for years being tested for Solar A/S the polymer solar cells have now
screen-printed PV cells. Unique texturing
reliability. Outdoor and climate chamber been connected to the grid at Risø.
technology, with lower reflectivity, ensures
tests show excellent performance and “The demonstration is an excellent
more sunlight can be absorbed throughout
normal certification tests have already been example of how cooperation between
the day even without direct solar radiation,
passed. The final step is to achieve full research and industry promotes technology
and thinner metal lines on the top surface
IEC certification of the modules, which development and creates the initial basis
reduces shading loss. Suntech’s Pluto
is expected to be completed by the end of for implementing new technology in
technology can be applied to a variety
this year. society,” said Henrik Bindslev, director of
of grades of silicon to suit multiple
Risø DTU. applications and product types.
South Korean scientists develop The polymer solar cells for the Suntech anticipates ongoing
efficient plastic-based solar cell solar cell plant have been produced in enhancement of the Pluto technology
In a major breakthrough that can speed collaboration with Mekoprint A/S, who and targets to achieve 20% conversion
up commercial use of solar energy, specializes in “roll to roll” production of efficiency on mono-crystalline PV cells and
South Korean scientists announced the flex-print and printed electronics. 18% on multi-crystalline PV cells within
development of a highly efficient plastic- After the production of the solar the next two years.
based power cell that can mimic the photo- cells—and in collaboration with Gaia
photovoltaic activities of plants. The team, Solar A/S—Risø DTU has manufactured
led by Lee Kwang-hee at the Gwangju large panels upon which the solar cells are
Institute of Science and Technology mounted. Gaia Solar A / S specializes in
24 – Global Solar Technology – May/June 2009
www.globalsolartechnology.com
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