In the Next generation solar cells group, we conceptually evaluate processes and solar cell technologies that show promising potential but have not yet been adopted by industrial mass production.
POLO technology as a pioneer
In the past, pioneering work was conducted on passivating contacts based on polycrystalline silicon on oxide (POLO – poly-Si on oxide), which contributed to this technology becoming the "workhorse" of photovoltaics.
Key Research Topics:
- Improving the stability of perovskites
- Developing suitable, industry-compatible manufacturing processes
We evaluate sequential processes, in which we combine thermal evaporation of contact layers and inorganic perovskite components with various approaches for incorporating the organic components (gas-phase transport deposition, scalable wet-chemical processes, or thermal evaporation as well).
Focus: Tandem Solar Cells with Perovskite
After demonstrating, in cooperation with national and international partners, the suitability of these silicon solar cells as bottom cells in highly efficient 2- and 3-terminal tandem solar cells, the current research focus is on the development of complete tandem solar cells and, in particular, the perovskite-based top cells.
Collaboration & characterization
Close collaboration with other research groups at ISFH enables the use of innovative measurement techniques, solar cell module integration, and accelerated aging tests.
From lab to industry
The commercial exploitation of our results takes place primarily through collaboration with manufacturers of solar cell production equipment who adapt our novel processes. Moreover, perovskites represent an attractive option for the re-establishment of solar cell and module production in Germany and Europe—on the one hand as an extension of silicon technology into tandem cells, and, if stability issues are resolved, potentially even for pure perovskite or perovskite/perovskite tandem modules.
Special Applications & Emerging Fields
The group’s scientific curiosity and exploratory nature also lead us to work on emerging fields and special applications.
In addition to our main focus, we are also engaged in:
- Photovoltaics for vehicles (e.g., roadworthy prototype)
- EU-funded research on light coupling in ultra-thin silicon cells