SMARTIES workshop on Advanced concepts for high efficiency c-Si technology
February 13, 2025
The Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences (FZU) has joined the TERASUN project as a new partner, bringing its expertise and research capabilities to an ambitious initiative that is set to transform the solar energy industry. The TERASUN project is dedicated to advancing silicon heterojunction (SHJ) cell technology with the goal of achieving a power conversion efficiency of over 26.81%. This partnership is a testament to the global effort to overcome current limitations in solar energy and push the envelope of what is currently possible in photovoltaic efficiency.
A vision for sustainable energy solutions
The TERASUN project is at the vanguard of solar technology, focusing on several key innovations to improve the performance and durability of SHJ cells. One such innovation is the development of advanced surface textures designed to enhance light absorption not just at the cell level but also across solar modules. This increase in light trapping can significantly boost the overall energy conversion efficiency, bringing us closer to the project's ambitious targets.
Another focal point of the TERASUN project is improving the durability and reducing the maintenance requirements of module cover glass. By creating low-maintenance solutions with enhanced durability, the project aims to decrease the long-term costs of solar energy systems, making them more attractive for widespread adoption.
To accomplish these technological leaps, the TERASUN project is exploring novel heterojunction contacts that will support advanced cell architectures, such as interdigitated-back-contacted designs. These innovative approaches are crucial for improving cell performance while maintaining cost-effective production methods.
Innovative cell architectures
One of the most groundbreaking aspects of the TERASUN project is the shift from traditional silver contacts to copper electroplating processes in cell metallization. Silver, while highly conductive, is an expensive material, and its use in solar cells contributes significantly to the overall costs. Copper electroplating has the potential to revolutionize the production of SHJ cells by providing a cost-effective alternative without compromising on efficiency or performance.
Additionally, the TERASUN project is pioneering the development of indium-free transparent conductive oxides (TCOs). This move is particularly strategic as it addresses the bottleneck associated with indium, a scarce and expensive material that poses a challenge for terawatt-scale production of SHJ devices. By developing alternatives to indium-based TCOs, the project is paving the way for more sustainable and scalable solar cell manufacturing.
FZU joins the PV power transition
The FZU's participation in the TERASUN project is set to accelerate these advancements. With its rich history in scientific research and development, the FZU will contribute to refining these technologies and pushing them towards market readiness. The collaboration will also ensure that the environmental impact and costs are minimized, making the mass production of SHJ cells more feasible.
