A new collaboration between Kalpana Systems, HyETSolar, and TNO has been launched to advance the commercialization of perovskite solar cells. The Perovision Project aims to optimize nickel oxide (NiOx) layers for perovskite solar cells using spatial Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). RVO awarded the project an EKOO: Electricity Subsidy grant to support the Netherlands' energy independence and transition.
The project will run from February 2025 to January 2027, targeting integration into HyETSolar's production line by mid-2027 and full-scale production by 2030. Project results are expected in 2027.
The Perovision Project focuses on scaling up the manufacturing process for perovskite solar cells to an industrial scale while overcoming existing challenges. The Perovision Project is directed at the development of a pilot-scale spatial ALD process for NiOx layers in a perovskite solar cell. NiOx improves both the efficiency, reliability and stability of perovskite solar cells but is difficult to produce with high quality at an industrial scale.
Spatial ALD enables the deposition of NiOx with atomic precision at high throughput. This combination of precision and speed is crucial for commercial viability, as it ensures both the quality and cost-effectiveness needed for large-scale production of perovskite solar cells.
The consortium brings together complementary expertise from three leading organizations. TNO will play a key role in material characterization and process optimization. "We are excited to contribute our expertise in thin-film development to help refine the spatial ALD process for perovskite solar cells," said Harald Kerp, Senior Business Developer at TNO. "By ensuring high-quality layer deposition, we can accelerate the adoption and strengthen the Dutch ALD industrial ecosystem."
Diederick Spee, CEO of Kalpana Systems says: "We are committed to pushing technologies into practice that accelerate the energy transition. Our spatial ALD system provides a scalable, cost-effective solution for producing high-quality nickel oxide layers, bringing perovskite solar cells closer to mainstream adoption."
HyETSolar, a leader in flexible thin-film photovoltaics, sees this project as an enabling technology development for flexible perovskite roll-to-roll production. "Kalpana Systems' technology will enable us to manufacture perovskite modules at industrial scale," said Thierry de Vrijer, Director of Technology of HyETSolar. "This is a crucial step towards making lightweight, flexible perovskite solar panels viable for large-scale applications."
