The InnoModu project is about reducing the silver and lead content of photovoltaic cells and modules and improving light management. The modules and cells of the next generation should save costs in production and protect the environment. With the results from the project, the Austrian industrial partners gain access to even more efficient manufacturing processes and can thus strengthen their competitiveness on the market.
What should be improved
Photovoltaic modules currently consist of cells that are manufactured with paste containing silver. The cells are connected using a lead-containing soldering process. Reducing lead means protecting the environment and reducing silver means saving costs - this is why the developers and researchers have calculated that there will be significant savings in cell production. Another challenge in the production process of solar cells is the shadowing losses. These are created by the metallization network on the front of the cell. In addition, the contact strips are currently being made wider in order to compensate for adjustment inaccuracies - here too there is still potential to reduce shading and thus increase the performance of the modules. In the InnoModu project, the experts are concerned with optimizing the electrical contacting of the cells in the PV module with regard to conductivity and front shading.
Summary objectives of the project
- Drastically reduce the silver content in solar cells
- Almost eliminate lead
- To reduce shadowing through the contact and thus to increase the performance
Project partner
From science:
Project coordinator AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
CTR Carinthian Tech Research
From the industry:
KIOTO
Energetica
Polytec PT
Ulbrich
teamtechnik
