Development of Semi-Transparent Bifacial Thin Film Solar Cells for Innovative Applications

About this project

<p>The goal of the project is to enhance research-based knowledge development in Baltic-Nordic states through cooperation by developing materials for semi-transparent bifacial cost-effective solar cells, which operate efficiently in full and faint sunlight, as well as snowy conditions. These solar cells present unlimited potential market applications - from light harvesting in shaded parts of houses to windows of electric cars to architecture. The market potential of these solar cells for residential and commercial solar PV in Nordic and Baltic countries is tremendous. This project builds on the pre-existing complementary scientific expertise in the related fields of synthesis of novel organic and inorganic hole conductor materials (KTU), their characterization (ISSP UL), thin film deposition and solar cell fabrication (TalTech), materials modelling and defect chemistry by first principles calculations as well as device modelling for solar cell modelling (IFE).</p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="background-color: #FFFFFF"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="background-color: #FFFFFF"><span style="color: #242424">The solar cell technology developed in this project can add value to pre‐existing solar cell developments as these devices could efficiently generate electricity under complete cloud cover; hence, they are suitable for power generation in areas with below average insolation (for example Norway, Iceland, Baltic states) and substantial cloud cover, e.g. Northern Europe, Nordic countries, Canada. Thus, increasing variety and capacity of the power generation from the sunlight in such regions. Development of the technology would promote the start of new, innovative, and research‐intensive entrepreneurship, creation of working places for highly educated and skilled people. It would contribute towards fulfilling the EU aim to reduce CO2 pollution, and promote well‐being and healthy environment for the people today and in the future.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

Bilateral cooperation results

Research teams jointly addressed project targets by organizing regular in person and online meetings where progress was reported, future steps planned, issues arising during different stages of the project discussed and solved by drawing upon diverse experience of team members with different backgrounds (chemists, material scientist, physicists specializing in organic or inorganic materials, device construction, theoreticians). Such composition of the team worked well to see the issue in question from different angles. Joint efforts towards dissemination of the project results have been coordinated. Partner from donor country contributed with expertise in modeling and theoretical calculations which were an important tool in predicting performance of devices and materials in future. Other project members gained practical knowledge on how to conduct such calculations, especially during staff exchange visits to and from donor partner. During project implementation skills and knowledge exchange between partners was significant, 21 young researchers were trained and had an opportunity to participate in high level international research, communicate with international partners, expand and strengthen their scientific networks.

Project partners

• institute for energy Technology Donor project partner· Norway
• Institute of Solid State Physics of University of Latvia Project partner· Latvia
• Tallinn University of Technology Project partner· Estonia