SCMIC: Single cell module integrated converter system

• Unité de recherche: PCRD EU
• Numéro de projet: 95.0207-2
• Titre du projet anglais: SCMIC: Single cell module integrated converter system

Mots-clé (Anglais)

Photovoltaic; power conditioning; manufacturing process

Autre Numéro de projet (Anglais)

EU project number: JOR3-CT95-0029

Programme de recherche (Anglais)

EU-programme: 4. Frame Research Programme - 5.1 Nonnuclear energies

Description succincte (Anglais)

See abstract

Partenaires et organisations internationales (Anglais)

Enecolo AG, LEM ETHZ, Alusuisse T&M AG, NAPS France, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft FHG-ISE

Résumé des résultats (Abstract) (Anglais)

A single solar cell provides an output voltage of 0.4 V to 2 V, depending on the material (amorphous or crystalline) and the type of cell (single or triple junction, etc.). Because of this unfavourably small voltage conventional solar modules are built of a series connection of several cells to get a higher output voltage of the module. This is resulting in numerous disadvantages like, expensive multi-step manufacturing process and expensive laser cutting (for thin film cells), a large inactive area, a mismatching and partial shading cause severe energy losses, etc.
This led us to a new module concept using only a single cell but large area. And further each solar module has its own power-conditioning unit. Following benefits will result within this new concept:
· deposition on cheap, already mass produced substrates such as building elements
· continuos flow manufacturing process
· less waste products, thus saving material and grey energy
· Increased active cell area
Especially the costs as most important drawback on photovoltaic energy conversion make the proposed single cell concept look very promising. The SCMIC concept includes both aspects; no serial connection and thin film technology. This new approach promises remarkable cost savings of about 30% for the manufacturing process of the module.
Designing the new single cell module for a common output power leads to output currents of 100 A or more at 0.7 V to 2 V. For handling these quantities, new approaches in the electrical configuration of the cell and the power conditioning unit are needed.
During the project time a completely new converter has been developed and tested at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. Further prototypes have been built and improved. Inverter efficiencies of 90 to 98% have been achieved. NAPS France produced single cell prototypes. The electrical properties are so far not satisfying. Under collaboration with the ALUCOSOL-Project small samples using the throughput connections were being realised at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.

Références bases de données (Anglais)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 95.0207-2