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- Offer Profile
- In the department of solar
energy our scientists are working on the next generation of solar cells,
including new kinds of materials and innovative cell structures. Long-term
goals are to develop efficient and competitive thin film solar cells and
multispectral cells. Thin-film technologies are developed to a stage where
industrial applications can follow as the next step. As cofounder of the
Photovoltaic Competence Centre (PVcomB) HZB supports the technology transfer
to the industry.
Product Portfolio
Department Solar Energy Research
- The HZB concentrates on targeted basic research and
uses this as the foundation for the technological development of prototypes
for industrial applications. The work involves on the one hand the
development of highly efficient thin-layer solar cells and is oriented
towards the currently most advanced semiconductor materials in the world. On
the other hand, new material combinations from common and environmentally
compatible elements are researched. Generation of fuels in "wet" energy
systems is being tested in line with natural models.
Solar energy research uses a broad spectrum of technical facilities. It
co-operates with various institutes and industrial companies. The goal is to
offer a scientific and technological response to the growing demands and
challenges of business globalisation.
Research Topics
Advanced Thin-Film Devices
- The goal within this research area is to use HZB‘s unique
technological and analytical capabilities to develop new devices and
processes with relevance to the PV-industry. On one hand this involves
helping thin-film PV industry to meet their long-term efficiency and
cost-reduction goals. On the other hand the research at HZB extends beyond
established technologies, toward developing materials based on abundant and
nontoxic elements for use in future efficient thin-film photovoltaic devices
and using and exploiting synergies between different thin-film technologies.
Chalcopyrite-Type Semiconductors
This research field aims at further developing the potential of chalco-pyrite-type
semiconductors as a high efficiency option for thin-film devices. One main
goal is to develop very high-efficiency devices (in the 20% range) using
high-throughput deposition processes for the semiconducting layers. The use
of flexible substrates is another key goal. Alternative multinary absorber
materials based on abundant and nontoxic elements are under investigation,
and novel device structures are being developed as an alternative to the
conventional n+-p heterojunction devices.
Silicon Photovoltaics
At HZB, the scientific and technological foundations for applications in
crystalline silicon thin-film photovoltaics are investigated. Thin-film
crystalline silicon solar cells grown on an inexpensive substrate combine
the advantages of traditional silicon wafer technology - such as high
material quality - with the high productivity, energy efficient production,
electrical interconnectivity, and the low materials consumption of thin-film
technology. The investigation of solar cell concepts based on silicon
heterostructures, in which hetero-emitters are deposited as thin layers,
targets a process simplification which may be applied to thinfilm solar cell
structures as well as silicon bulk solar cells.
Novel Materials and Device Concepts
- Research in Novel Materials and Concepts is directed
toward the long-term goal of producing cost-effective and more efficient
devices. As an example, solar cell concepts based on nanoparticles promise
to provide extended chemical flexibility and exploit quantum-size and
optical coherence effects. The aim is to generate the scientific knowledge
needed to create photovoltaic devices beyond the present cost and efficiency
limitations.
Efficiencies beyond the Shockley-Queisser limit for single band gap
materials have so far only been observed for multijunction devices using
stacks of III-V materials with different band gap energies. In recent years,
a wide variety of theoretical concepts have been discussed to make use of
novel photovoltaic concepts to exceed fundamental efficiency limits by
minimising spectral and thermalisation losses without using multijunction
cells.
Scientific approaches are employed to systematically overcome fundamental
challenges governing efficiency limits as well as addressing practical
requirements such as the desire to use low-cost materials. For this purpose
we make use of a combination of materials that are already in an advanced
stage of development (in particular materials for advanced thin-film
devices) and of materials and concepts (such as hybrid devices) that up to
now have been investigated primarily on
fundamental levels.
Solar Fuels
- As part of the Solar Energy Research division, the
Institute of Solar Fuels is working on the development of cost-effective PV
hybrid systems that directly convert sunlight into stored chemical energy by
producing hydrogen via water splitting. The direct generation of fuels from
solar light ranks amongst the most prominent challenges for a sustainable
energy technology based on regenerative primary energy sources. This
approach could circumvent the inherent challenge of storing solar energy in
form of hydrogen or hydrocarbons. Material storage is in demand to guarantee
mobility, especially in air transportation applications. For this purpose,
the energy conversion of light into electrical energy via photonic
excitation of a thinfilm PV structure is directly combined with corrosion
stable layers at the front and back contacts that catalyze the process of
water photolysis at the electrodeelectrolyte-interfaces. The generated
hydrogen can be stored as compressed gas, liquid-H2, metal hydride, or
methanol. The inherent problem of the discontinuous vailability of sun light
can therefore be overcome by reconverting the stored hydrogen into
electricity using a fuel cell.
Advanced Analytics and Modeling
- Optimum performance of solar cells currently in
production and future solar cell concepts can only be achieved with the aid
of advanced simulation and characterization tools. Dedicated tools are
mandatory to monitor the physical processes that capture, store and release
energy and thereby assist strategies to control these processes in
tomorrow’s pv devices. HZB’s large-scale facilities – the Berlin Neutron
Research Reactor (BER II) and Berlin Synchrotron Radiation Source (BESSY II)
in combination with dedicated analytical labs at the centre provide unique
research facilities that combine neutrons and photons for pv research from
the surface deep into the bulk of the sample. A new addition to the
analytics portfolio will be the SISSY lab space.
Here, in-situ growth, interface- and defect studies will be enhanced by
synchrotron based spectroscopic methods. The facility SISSY (Solar Energy In
Situ Laboratory at the Synchrotron) will complement and support the existing
experiments for chalcopyrite semiconductor (CIGSe) interface engineering and
film growth (CISSY and EDDIbeamline) and will enable the national and
international silicon PV community to overcome limitations in diagnostics of
interface and material properties existing today.
Institute for Silicon Photovoltaics
- We work on the scientific and technological foundations
for the application of thin film technology in silicon photovoltaics.
Thin-film crystalline silicon solar cells grown on an inexpensive substrate
(such as glass) combine the advantages of traditional silicon technology
with the high productivity, energy efficient production, electrical
interconnectivity, and the low materials consumption of thin film
technology. The investigation of solar cell concepts based on silicon
heterostructures, where heteroemitters are deposited as thin layers, targets
a process simplification which may be applied to thin film solar cell
structures as well as silicon bulk solar cells.
Our research program focuses on two areas whose organizational structures
are closely connected through the common use of technological processes and
analytical methods within the department. Both areas are also supported by a
range of methods of other departments within the solar cell and structural
research divisions of the HZB.
Institute for Heterogeneous Materials Systems
- We work on the scientific and technological foundations
for the application of thin film technology in silicon photovoltaics.
Thin-film crystalline silicon solar cells grown on an inexpensive substrate
(such as glass) combine the advantages of traditional silicon technology
with the high productivity, energy efficient production, electrical
interconnectivity, and the low materials consumption of thin film
technology. The investigation of solar cell concepts based on silicon
heterostructures, where heteroemitters are deposited as thin layers, targets
a process simplification which may be applied to thin film solar cell
structures as well as silicon bulk solar cells.
Our research program focuses on two areas whose organizational structures
are closely connected through the common use of technological processes and
analytical methods within the department. Both areas are also supported by a
range of methods of other departments within the solar cell and structural
research divisions of the HZB.
Institute of Technology
- The institute pursues the fabrication and optimization
of novel thin film solar cells, and their characterization in terms of
process yield, reliability, and conversion efficiency. At the core of the
activities is the technology for preparation of Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 compound
semiconductor thin films and complete photovoltaic modules at the laboratory
scale. The fabrication of thin films is supported by the development of
suitable process control and in-situ analytical techniques. Activities
include structural, morphological, and optoelectronic characterization of
layers and complete solar cells. Simulation tools are employed in
conjunction with optoelectronic characterization of solar cells.
Institute for Solar Fuels and Energy Storage Materials
- The direct generation of fuels from solar light ranks
amongst the most prominent challenges for a sustainable energy technology
based on regenerative primary energy sources. Such an approach would
guarantee the inherent storage problem of electrical energy combined with
the discontinuous availability of sun light as well as the safeguarding of
mobile implementation (such as air transportation). For this purpose our
institute pursues a strategy to generate hydrogen in a solid-state material
system in which both the semiconducting absorber and the catalyst are
integrated into a structure (HZB Report 2009). Therefore the energy
conversion of light into electrical energy via photonic stimulation of the
semiconductor is directly combined with the catalytical procedures on the
electrolyte-electrode-interface for the conversion into storable chemical
energy (hydrogen). The generated hydrogen can than be stored by means of
already known methods (compressed gas, liquid-H2, metal hydride, conversion
to methanol).
The understanding and steering of the appropriate processes and their
interaction is the goal for scientific work and a prerequisite for a
sufficiently efficient hydrogen development. This requires high-capacity
characterization methods in a broad interactive scientific approach in the
fields of photo-physics, surface- and material chemistry,
photo-electrochemistry, interface- and surface sciences, as well as system
alignment.
Young Investigator Group Interface Design
- Analytical methods
- Photoelectron Spectroscopy
- Inverse Photoemission Spectroscopy
- Scanning Probe Microscopy
- X-ray Emission Spectroscopy
- X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy
PVcomB
- Competence Centre Thin-Film- and Nanotechnology for
Photovoltaics Berlin
Technology Transfer – Bridging the gap between fundamental science and
industry
PVcomB's main goal is to support world wide growth of thin-film photovoltaic
technologies and -products by providing top level technology transfer.
The structure of PVcomB is unique in its combination of research &
development with high-level education and training. In co-operative R&D
projects with industry, all relevant aspects of the production of thin-film
modules are addressed. Additionally, education and training will provide the
industry with highly skilled thin-film PV professionals.
Two 30x30 cm2 Reference Lines for Thin-Film Silicon (a-Si/μc-Si) and CIS
There is a large gap between production of lab-sized photovoltaic cells and
industrial-size modules. PVcomB bridges this gap by operating two dedicated
pilot-lines for intermediate size PV modules with an area of 30 x 30 cm².
This intermediate module size is well suited to address questions arising in
industrial production. At the same time, alternatives will be developed and
tested for each process and analytical step. The great variety of analytical
tools available ensures that changes in the product-performance can be
linked to fundamental material or process properties. A truly unique feature
of PVcomB´s pilot-lines is that both thin-film silicon as well as CIS based
modules will be studied within a single laboratory. This convenient
arrangement offers the potential to unlock significant synergies in many
topics common to all thin-film based technologies.
What we offer:
- Ramp up support
- Continuous development of industrial processes
- Development of promising high-risk concepts
- Upscaling of succesful basic research projects of HZB and TU Berlin
to module size of 30 x 30 cm2
- Use of PVcomB reference production lines as benchmark for PV
suppliers: new materials, analytical tools or alternative process steps