PROMPT – Laser process and measurement technology for photovoltaic modules made of large-area silicon solar cells of the next generation

The ISFH promotes the German and European photovoltaic industry through joint development of innovative photovoltaic modules. For many future applications, manufacturing modules as flexibly as possible is crucial. Future PV modules manufactured in the EU will contain next generation large area silicon solar cells manufactured in the EU and Asia. In order to remain an attractive project partner for the photovoltaic industry, which expects any sampling in relevant cell size, ISFH must gradually convert its process and analysis technology to this format. In the PROMPT project, measurement and process technology for solar cells and PV modules made of M12 (210 x 210 mm2) solar cells will be established for this purpose. In order to install modern solar cells in the M12 format in PV modules, low-damage laser cutting processes are required, on the one hand to adapt the formats to the geometric requirements of customized solar modules and, on the other hand, to ensure mechanical stability throughout the process and the period of use in the module. A laser processing system suitable for this purpose is to be set up in PROMPT and corresponding processes developed. For maximum flexibility in research, the system is to be self-assembled from individual components. Large-scale measurement technology is required to analyze the losses in the module. For this purpose, a measuring station for determining the spectral irradiance sensitivity is to be set up, which can measure both whole and split M12 solar cells inside and outside the module. The measurement system is also to be upgraded for the measurement of tandem solar cells in order to ensure the future viability of the research infrastructure in this respect as well.