FANTASTIC
Flexible Approach with New Technology, Advanced Systems for Integration of CIGS solar cells
Publieke samenvatting / Public summary
Aanleiding
The present manufacturing of thin-film solar cells comprises the deposition of stacks of very thin layers. To achieve a serial interconnection between individual cells a process of repeated deposition/scribing is employed. Disadvantages of this conventional process concept are among others significant dead zone interconnection area, misalignment causing shunting, reduced yield of the solar panel production process due to interrupts between layer depositions.
Doelstelling
The aim is to develop a high-throughput process and equipment for back-end serial interconnection of thin-film solar cells with a minimum loss of active area. The project will focus on back-end serial interconnection off CIGS though the technology is also applicable to Organic PV, micromorph thin-film silicon and CdTe following specific process development.
Korte omschrijving
In this project the FANTASTIC concept will be demonstrated in which CIGS and CZTS solar panels will be made by making the serial interconnection as the very last step after all layer depositions and thus overcoming all these disadvantages. The FANTASTIC concept is a back-end process and comprises depth-selective laser scribing step integrated with ink jet printing of isolating and conductive lines.
Resultaat
The project will result in prototype equipment (FANTASTIC system) and sub-module CIGS demonstrators (30 x 30 cm2) made with it. Back-end serial interconnection is currently not employed in any thin-film PV production line. It is expected that the project result will lead to a demonstration of the back-end interconnection concept in a CIGS production line, which will be considered in the PV community as a major innovation as such.
The present manufacturing of thin-film solar cells comprises the deposition of stacks of very thin layers. To achieve a serial interconnection between individual cells a process of repeated deposition/scribing is employed. Disadvantages of this conventional process concept are among others significant dead zone interconnection area, misalignment causing shunting, reduced yield of the solar panel production process due to interrupts between layer depositions.
Doelstelling
The aim is to develop a high-throughput process and equipment for back-end serial interconnection of thin-film solar cells with a minimum loss of active area. The project will focus on back-end serial interconnection off CIGS though the technology is also applicable to Organic PV, micromorph thin-film silicon and CdTe following specific process development.
Korte omschrijving
In this project the FANTASTIC concept will be demonstrated in which CIGS and CZTS solar panels will be made by making the serial interconnection as the very last step after all layer depositions and thus overcoming all these disadvantages. The FANTASTIC concept is a back-end process and comprises depth-selective laser scribing step integrated with ink jet printing of isolating and conductive lines.
Resultaat
The project will result in prototype equipment (FANTASTIC system) and sub-module CIGS demonstrators (30 x 30 cm2) made with it. Back-end serial interconnection is currently not employed in any thin-film PV production line. It is expected that the project result will lead to a demonstration of the back-end interconnection concept in a CIGS production line, which will be considered in the PV community as a major innovation as such.