immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Solarzellen

  • EPFL researchers improve efficiency of solar cells with rubidium

    EPFL researchers improve efficiency of solar cells with rubidium

    Researchers at EPFL have discovered a method for reducing the energy loss of perovskite solar cells, according to a press release. Perovskite solar cells are based on semiconductors with a wide bandgap, but they often suffer from phase separation, which causes a drop in performance over time. The integration of rubidium (Rb) is intended to stabilise the semiconductor material and at the same time improve the energy efficiency of the solar cell. By utilising the lattice voltage of the perovskite film, the researchers were also able to ensure that the Rb ions are fixed in the right place.

    The researchers led by Lukas Pfeifer and Likai Zheng from Michael Grätzel’s group at EPFL also used the X-ray diffraction method to verify and analyse this effect. They discovered that, in addition to the lattice stress, the introduction of chloride ions also makes a decisive contribution to the stabilisation of the material. The chloride ions equalise the size differences between the incorporated elements and thus ensure a more uniform ion distribution. The result is a more uniform material with fewer defects and a more stable electronic structure.

    The new perovskite composition reached 93.5 per cent of its theoretical limit with an open circuit voltage of 1.30 volts. This is one of the lowest energy losses ever measured in perovskite semiconductors. An improved photoluminescence quantum yield also indicates a more efficient conversion of sunlight into electricity.

    Increasing the efficiency of perovskite solar cells could lead to more efficient and cost-effective solar modules and thus reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Perovskites could also be used for LEDs, sensors and other optoelectronic applications. The EPFL’s findings could therefore also accelerate the commercialisation of these technologies.

  • Perovskia Solar receives investment of 2.4 million dollars

    Perovskia Solar receives investment of 2.4 million dollars

    Perovskia Solar AG has received fresh capital in the amount of 2.4 million dollars. The spin-off of the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology(Empa), which was founded in 2021, announced that it is now welcoming Basel-based Kickfund, London-based venture capitalist D&FG Elements and a global coalition of business angels led by Nils Hagander and Beda Rohner as investors in addition to existing investors Empa, Venture Kick and Johannes Suter from Zurich. Hagander joins Perovskia’s Board of Directors.

    Perovskia offers digitally printed and flexibly customizable solar cells to OEMs. “Our energy harvesting technology has been developed at Empa for over six years and enables us to bring Perovskia Solar to the market with a finished product that powers next-generation devices for industrial and consumer use,” founder and CTO Tobias Meyer is quoted as saying. The cleantech start-up, founded in 2021, has already acquired “more than ten leading companies from the Internet of Things (IoT) industry” as customers.

    Perovskia’s vision is that the ultra-thin solar cells can be integrated into any device, for example in networked intelligent systems known as Smart City, Smart Grid, Smart Building and Industrial IoT. “We make it possible for solar cells to be designed around products and not products around solar cells,” reads a self-promotion by the award-winning start-up.

    This funding will allow Perovskia to “expand, innovate and grow”, according to another press release. “With a new website, modernized machines and talented new team members, we are more committed than ever to our mission: a solar cell on every device.”

  • New Swiss solar cell production in the USA

    New Swiss solar cell production in the USA

    By expanding its business strategy to include solar cells “Made in USA”, Meyer Burger is responding to market requirements resulting from new regulations in the United States: Recently, the US Treasury Department announced guidelines for qualifying “domestic content”. These allow for an additional ten percent bonus on the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for US solar projects. “Meyer Burger strongly believes that domestically manufactured solar cells bring additional benefits to our customers, both in terms of using premium high performance ‘Made in USA’ solar products and qualifying for additional tax credits,” says Gunter Erfurt, CEO of Meyer Burger. With an initial production volume of two gigawatts of solar cells and modules annually in the US, Meyer Burger has the opportunity to receive tax credits of up to USD 1.4 billion from the start of production in 2024 until the end of 2032.

    As part of the decision to locate the solar cell plant in the USA, the company will receive another substantial financial package in addition to the IRA tax incentives: The city of Colorado Springs and the US state of Colorado are supporting the investment with almost USD 90 million, mainly in the form of tax credits, direct support and discounted electricity and water rates. In addition, upfront payments from module purchasers and a loan from the US Department of Energy (DoE) totalling more than USD 300 million are foreseeable. These are expected to help finance Meyer Burger’s growth in the United States.

    “Our presence in the US will allow us to reach existing and future customers faster. I would like to sincerely thank our partners in the Biden administration and in Colorado as well as our off-take partners DESRI, Ingka and BayWa for their support in expanding our US activities,” says Gunter Erfurt. He adds: “Meyer Burger is currently working on further multi-gigawatt offtake contracts in the US with new customers. We are already exploring opportunities to build further production capacity for solar cells and modules in the US”.

    The accelerated production schedule in the US is made possible by rerouting production machinery originally intended for the previously announced expansion of the solar cell factory at the Thalheim site in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany. This equipment will now be installed at the Colorado Springs site in order to meet the planned completion date of the cell factory in 2024.

    As part of Meyer Burger’s successful application for the EU Innovation Fund, a multi-gigawatt expansion in Thalheim is planned at a later date. A prerequisite for such investments are favourable market conditions and secure, fair competitive conditions for European solar manufacturers in the EU.

    “Meyer Burger is a driving force for the expansion of solar energy in the US as well as in Germany and Europe,” says Erfurt. “We are pleased to lay the foundation for a transatlantic solar energy partnership and to continue to expand our production in Germany and the European Union.” In Germany, the company will therefore participate in the German government’s recently announced expression of interest in a PV industry renaissance.

  • Artwork produces solar power

    Artwork produces solar power

    Solar cells can also decorate buildings as objects of art. This is shown by a project that has now been implemented at the NEST research building of the Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt ( Empa ) and the EAWAG water research institute. The facades of the building have been fitted with photovoltaic modules, which together result in a work of art.

    To this end, Empa implemented the project called Glasklar, on which it worked together with Zug Estates and students and lecturers from the two departments of Design & Art and Technology & Architecture at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. The latter designed photovoltaic modules in a two-week block event, which visually match the NEST building as design objects. The design was implemented by textile design student Lynn Balli. It was selected for use in the NEST building in an interdisciplinary design competition.

    “If we can arouse the interest of designers in the design of building-integrated photovoltaic modules, we will make an important contribution to greater acceptance of photovoltaic facades and thus promote the expansion of renewable electricity production in Switzerland,” says Björn Niesen, NEST innovation manager Message from Empa quoted.