Imagine making solar panels that are not only more powerful but also last twice as long as current ones. This effort builds a complete factory chain in Europe, from the raw silicon slices to the final panel. It's like moving from a kitchen experiment to a professional bakery, ensuring every 'loaf' of solar cell is perfect and easy to recycle.
Europe lacks a complete, competitive, and sustainable PV value chain, relying heavily on imports. Current solar modules also suffer from degradation and poor recyclability.
Three digitalised pilot lines for silicon wafers, solar cells, and modules, including automated CVD and wet bench equipment.
If you are a manufacturer dealing with low efficiency and high waste — this project developed digitalised pilot lines that target a 90% yield. It uses tunnel-IBC technology to create high-performance cells with a target efficiency of approximately 25%.
If you are an operator dealing with panel degradation and short lifespans — this project developed modules targeting a product lifetime of over 40 years. This reduces replacement costs and increases long-term energy harvest.
If you are a recycling firm dealing with non-recyclable composite panels — this project developed eco-design practices for modules made from recycled materials. This ensures easier dismantling and a zero-waste manufacturing roadmap.
The project aims to demonstrate a favorable cost per Watt-peak (cost/Wp) compared to current commercially available PV modules to ensure business case viability.
The project targets a 15 MW capacity for M10 wafers in Norway, a 190 MW cell capacity, and a minimum of 170 MW annual module production capacity.
The project leverages patented and already proven back-contacted silicon heterojunction 'tunnel-IBC' technology.
It utilizes Industry 4.0 concepts, including inline metrology and automation, to provide feedback loops from the field back to the production lines.
The project is scheduled to demonstrate these digitalised pilot lines by 2025.
The consortium is heavily industry-driven with a 65% industry ratio, comprising 13 industrial partners and 4 SMEs. This strong commercial presence, combined with 3 universities and 4 research centers across 8 countries, indicates a high focus on commercial viability and technology transfer rather than pure academic research.
Contact UNIRESEARCH BV in the Netherlands for licensing and partnership inquiries.
Contact us to explore licensing opportunities for tunnel-IBC technology.
