Advanced Thin-Film Technologies for Cost Effective Photovoltaics

ATHLET

IP PROJECT FP6

Long term scenarios for a sustainable global development suggest that it should be feasible by the middle of this century to provide over 80% of the electric power by a mix of energy from renewable sources. Photovoltaics (PV) is one important option which could provide a significant share of over 30% to such a mix.
The approach of this project is to focus on the most promising materials and device options for thin-film technologies, namely cadmium-free cells and modules based on amorphous, micro- and polycrystalline silicon as well as on I-III-VI2-chalcopyrite compound semiconductors.

The overall goal of this project is to provide the scientific and technological basis for an industrial mass production of cost effective and highly efficient, environmentally-sound, large-area thin film solar cells and modules. This includes development of the process know-how and the production technology as well as the design and fabrication of specialised equipment.

By drawing on a broad range of expertise the entire range of module fabrication and supporting R&D will be covered: Substrates, semiconductor/contact deposition, monolithic series interconnection, encapsulation, performance evaluation and applications.

The main objectives are two-fold:

– development and improvement of existing thin film PV technologies with the goal of increasing module efficiency/cost ratio to increase competitiveness of PV; goal: specific module costs of less than 0.5 €/WP. 
– providing the know-how and the scientific basis for a future generation of PV modules by identifying and testing new materials and technologies with higher potential for cost reduction. This includes the development and analysis of materials, new concepts for solar cell structures, laboratory-scale photovoltaic devices, prototypes for modules, improvement of the required process technologies, development and application of new analytical methods for device characterisation.

Start Date: 2006-01-01

End Date: 2009-12-31

Duration: 48 months

Project Status: Completed