SusCon
Sustainable Contact Technology for Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells
Publieke samenvatting / Public summary
Aanleiding
Silicon heterojunction technology (HJT) is the main solar cell technology manufactured in Europe, with capacity planned to increase rapidly. HJT solar cells require more silver than conventional solar cells, and use indium-based contact layers. The use of these two metals poses challenges and risks for sustainability and cost.
Doelstelling
The goal of the project is to develop high-performance alternatives for silver metallization and indium-oxide-based contact layers in HJT cells. The project supports the business cases and sustainability of HJT PV, as well as high efficiency and local manufacturing, which is in line with the objectives of the MMIP2.
Korte omschrijving
The cell process development will start with the modifications at the rear side, which are less challenging because optical properties are less important. Indium and silver replacements will be tested and benchmarked individually and in combination. Testing will include module processes and reliability. Protection from humidity will be crucial. This work will pave the way for developing similar replacements for the front side. The most successful processes will be transferred from laboratory to factory equipment, and front and rear side modifications tested in combination. The module architecture will be selected in an initial evaluation. Apart from the advantages for sustainability, the project results aim to ensure HJT competitiveness under increasing raw materials costs. The techno-economic feasibility and improvement of life cycle impact of the new technology will be evaluated.
Resultaat
The project will deliver HJT cells and modules with reduced content of indium (target: completely avoiding indium) and silver (target: at least 2x reduction), with dedicated module technology for stability. The target for module efficiency is to match the efficiency with indium and silver, or at least match the cost/Wp.
Silicon heterojunction technology (HJT) is the main solar cell technology manufactured in Europe, with capacity planned to increase rapidly. HJT solar cells require more silver than conventional solar cells, and use indium-based contact layers. The use of these two metals poses challenges and risks for sustainability and cost.
Doelstelling
The goal of the project is to develop high-performance alternatives for silver metallization and indium-oxide-based contact layers in HJT cells. The project supports the business cases and sustainability of HJT PV, as well as high efficiency and local manufacturing, which is in line with the objectives of the MMIP2.
Korte omschrijving
The cell process development will start with the modifications at the rear side, which are less challenging because optical properties are less important. Indium and silver replacements will be tested and benchmarked individually and in combination. Testing will include module processes and reliability. Protection from humidity will be crucial. This work will pave the way for developing similar replacements for the front side. The most successful processes will be transferred from laboratory to factory equipment, and front and rear side modifications tested in combination. The module architecture will be selected in an initial evaluation. Apart from the advantages for sustainability, the project results aim to ensure HJT competitiveness under increasing raw materials costs. The techno-economic feasibility and improvement of life cycle impact of the new technology will be evaluated.
Resultaat
The project will deliver HJT cells and modules with reduced content of indium (target: completely avoiding indium) and silver (target: at least 2x reduction), with dedicated module technology for stability. The target for module efficiency is to match the efficiency with indium and silver, or at least match the cost/Wp.