Fotovoltaico, due progetti, obiettivi: efficienza ed economicità

Suscitano molto interesse due progetti, intrapresi rispettivamente da un'azienda statunitense e da una startup formata da ricercatori finlandesi e australiani, volti a creare pannelli fotovoltaici più economici. Il tutto senza influire sul risultato prodotto: stando ai protagonisti della ricerca, i nuovi metodi fornirebbero un risultato identico a quello ottenuto dei comuni pannelli fotovoltaici. Il primo progetto, nato dalla collaborazione tra l'Australian National University, Spark Solar Australia e l'azienda finlandese Braggone Oy, ha come obbiettivo quello di creare un componente fluido da spruzzare sui pannelli. Il progetto, che avrà durata triennale, dovrebbe consentire di "spruzzare un film di idrogeno ed uno di materiale non riflettente su un nastro trasportatore" si legge in una dichiarazione rilasciata da Spark Solar. Il procedimento, sul quale non è dato al momento sapere altro, servirà a rimpiazzare le attuali tecniche di fabbricazione delle celle fotovoltaiche, giudicate troppo costose. Secondo i ricercatori della joint venture il nuovo dispositivo potrà ridurre i costi complessivi di un'intera fabbrica di medie dimensioni di circa 2,5 milioni di euro. Il tutto sarà possibile senza alcuna perdita a livello qualitativo: "Le celle saranno della stessa qualità di quelle tradizionali, ma molto più economiche" dichiara il dottor Keith McIntosh della Australian National University.

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Low Cost Anti-reflective and Hydrogenation Techniques
“These optical and electrical layers were previously integrated into components through expensive and high maintenance CVD tools,” commented Dr. Yrjö Ojasaar, Braggone CEO. ”Braggone can now introduce the same anti-reflective and hydrogenation techniques with a very simple and cost efficient spray coat, bake and repeat process. We are tuning the optics of the cell by introducing nanometer thick layers of our molecularly tailored materials. Now, for the first time, solar cell makers can have truly affordable passivation and anti-reflective solutions available and thus create a boost for their Mega Watt [Mw] production capacities."

This Braggone process is a very low cost barrier to entry for newly constructed solar cell factories, whereas existing lines that already include CVD tools can increase their capacity with low capital investment costs. For older factories that do not use anti-reflectives, they can simply increase the efficiency of their output cells by introducing this process at very low investment costs. This unique product is spray coated onto the solar cell, then cured at an elevated temperature. The innovative new product line is not only a breakthrough for crystalline silicon makers, but can also be used in thin film photovoltaics as well as in solar module manufacturing to further improve their power output.

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Aussie researchers develop spray-on solar
German solar reaches 40-percent efficiency
Finland's Braggone Oy and Spark Solar Australia collaborate on three-year project using spray-on films to cut production costs.
Researchers in Australia have started a three-year project to develop spray-on solar panels that are more efficient and less costly than today's PV.
Australian National University is working with solar company Spark Solar Australia and Finnish materials company Braggone Oy on the method, which could be commercially available by 2011, reports G-Online.
The method sprays hydrogen film and anti-reflective film on a conveyor belt. Traditionally, solar facilities use the plasma form of hydrogen and a vacuum method to deposit silicon nitrate as an anti-reflective coating. The two factors add significantly to the cost of a solar production facility, and the researchers said a spray-on method could reduce a medium-sized factory's overall cost by about AUD$5 million.
"The cells will be the same quality, but much cheaper," McIntosh said to G-Online. "These savings should be passed down to the consumer in a couple of years when demand for solar panels increases."
The researchers are also trying to improve solar cells' efficiency by experimenting with different surfaces.
Last week, researchers from Swansea University in Wales said they were investigating roll-on methods for reducing the cost of solar (see UK researchers simplify low-light solar with paint-on PV).