ADVANTAGE: Advances next generation rear contact module technology for building integration

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 00.0630

Key words (German)

Solarzellen; mechanische Fertigung;
Economic Aspects; Energy Saving; Renewable Sources of Energy

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: ENK5-Ct2000-00340

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.4b.1 Cleaner energy systems, including renewables

Short description (English)

See abstract

Partners and International Organizations (English)

Coordinator: Netherlands Energy Reserarch Foundation (NL)

Abstract (English)

Cost reduction and added value are essential for large-scale introduction of PV modules. The innovative approach of using crystalline silicon back contact solar cells leads to a considerable cost reduction as the efficiency is higher and the labour content in connecting the cells is reduced. On the other hand the visual appearance is improved due to the absence of contacts on the front surface. So building integration is significantly promoted as both acceptance and cost are improved. This will give an enormous impulse to the introduction of solar energy. This proposal addresses the issues involved in the commercial production of back contact solar cells and modules. Innovative techniques suitable for large-volume production and automation will be used to interconnect the cells. One-step lamination and interconnection will be developed to decrease the costs even more. As the contacts are only applied on one side the yield using thin fragile cells - being the future of low-cost crystalline silicon - is improved considerably due to the reduction of stress.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 00.0630