A new EU project called "CITYSOLAR" aims to revolutionize the market for transparent solar cells for windows by combining two photovoltaic (PV) technologies in a tandem configuration. The project has received 3,779,242 EUR in support from the H2020 framework programme. Transparent solar cells for windows have been known for several years, but are still not sufficiently efficient - which is what the new project will attempt to change.
'We develop new innovative concepts within light management and solar module integration that are specifically targeted at new promising organic and hybrid thin film PV technologies, and by that we go significantly beyond state-of-the-art in terms of efficiency for transparent photovoltaics. It's a revolutionary new concept,' says Professor Aldo di Carlo, Cnr-Ism, who is coordinator of the new project and is thrilled about the support of "CITYSOLAR" from the H2020 framework.
"CITYSOLAR" will make multi-junction solar cells that are optimized to absorb different wavelengths of sunlight. The project will do this by combining recent development high band gap perovskite solar cells with low band gap, fullerene-free, organic solar cells.
The aim is to create unique semi-transparent solar cells that absorb infrared and ultraviolet light, but not the visible light ' making it possible to reach above 15% power conversion efficiency for semi-transparent solar cells. To achieve this, "CITYSOLAR" will bring together world-leading European academic and industry players, some with key intellectual property, together with two non-EU partners belonging to Mission Innovation countries specialized in the synthesis of advanced materials for hybrid and organic solar cells, to develop highly efficient and transparent solar cells and modules for Building Integrated PhotoVoltaics (BIPV).
The project will run for three years. The concept will be demonstrated at a module level on an area larger than 100 cm2. The consortium behind "CITYSOLAR" also includes industrial partners that can demonstrate integration of such technology towards commercial products.
Project partners:
- National Research Council of Italy (Cnr) ' Prof. Aldo Di Carlo, Research, IT
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) ' Prof. Christoph Brabec, University, DE
- University of Southern Denmark (SDU) ' Prof. Morten Madsen, University, DK
- Università degli Studi di Roma « Tor Vergata » (UNITOV) ' Dr. Fabio Matteocci, University, IT
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) ' Dr. Stefania Cacovich, Research, FR
- H.GLASS (HG) ' Dr. Fabrizio Giordano, SME, CH
- Eni S.p.A. (Eni) ' Dr. Paolo Biagini, Large Enterprise, IT
- Brilliant Matters (BM) Organic Electronics Inc. (Brilliant Matters) - Dr. Philippe Berrouard, SME, CANADA
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) ' Prof. Iain McCulloch University Saudi Arabia