Integrated Novel Bypass Element enabling stabel Perovskite Solar Cells and Modules for Mass Production (MemStabSol)

The European Green Deal aims for a climate neutral EU in 2050. This can only be achieved by novel technologies, amongst them renewable energy sources. Photovoltaics has proven viable but requires improvements in terms of its environmental footprint. Thus, efficiency must be maximized and energy and raw materials used for production minimized. The recently emerged research field of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) might provide an answer to these challenges. However, PSCs face one huge obstacle on their way towards commercialization: They are not stable under all operational conditions, in particular they are easily damaged when they are integrated into solar modules, where part of the module(s) might be shaded.

This work provides a fully novel and unique solution, which protects the PSC and allows harvesting the energy of the non-shaded cells.
Our goal is to develop a fully integrated and mass-production compatible version of our protecting element. We will fabricate a larger-area demonstrator, which will show non-deteriorated efficiency or stability compared to the PSC itself. To assess the long-term performance of our cointegrated device, we will develop a suitable test protocol for the lab and operate a series-connected module under real-world shading conditions. We will consult with solar-cell manufacturing companies to solely focus on materials and processes relevant and feasible for large-scale production. We will optimize our current vacuum processing steps and expand to solution processing technologies compatible with industrial printing processes.

By the end of the project, we hope to have established R&D collaborations with the industry and found partners for licensing our technology.