Silicon PV technology is moving towards TW-scale production capacities, enabling the transition to a clean energy system and a climate-neutral economy. Among the various silicon-based PV technologies, silicon solar cells with interdigitated backcontacts (IBCs) are expected to achieve the highest energy conversion efficiencies. Nevertheless, the cost efficiency and applicability of this promising technology can still be greatly improved, as the thickness of the absorber material can be reduced while maximising performance. This is a major challenge that can be addressed by increasing the absorption density of the cells using optical strategies and advanced passivation processes.
The increasing demand for ultra-thin solar cells, which offer benefits such as lower material consumption leading to improved lifetime, weight reduction and potential mechanical flexibility for extended applications, has fuelled extensive research to address this challenge.
As part of the BURST project, a consortium of industry (NinesPV, HOLO/OR and BENKEI) and research partners(ISFH, TU Delft, LUH, ISC Konstanz and CEA) have joined forces to make future IBC solar cells even better and more cost-efficient. We are very much looking forward to working together at European level.
