PEMBA refers to a collaborative project to develop a transparent coating to improve moisture barrier resistance directly on top of a perovskite-on-silicon (PoS) tandem photovoltaic (PV) device, between Oxford Photovoltaics Ltd and the Centre for Process Innovation Ltd. The main purpose of this work is to extend the lifetime of the PoS wafer and in turn, enhance its performance when employed in the field as a solar module. The use of an atomic layer deposition batch coating tool will be investigated to create a uniform and conformal coating directly over the PV device. In addition to the experimental work, an exercise in defining how to scale up this solution to meet the demands of PV wafer fabricators, who require throughputs of 4000wafers per hour, will also be conducted.
Accurate simulation of complex materials yields useful insights, guiding experimental efforts and technological advancements. In photovoltaic applications, these can help to increase solar cell efficiency, their durability and manufacturability, key challenges in the industry. Designing novel materials for clean energy use, or even gaining a full understanding of existing materials, is currently a major challenge due to the necessity of taking quantum effects into account. Standard modelling techniques are unable to solve the required problems with sufficient speed and/or accuracy, implying that costly experiments in the lab are often needed in order to characterise the properties of materials.
Quantum computers can natively represent quantum-mechanical systems and could efficiently solve materials modelling problems that are beyond the reach of today's best supercomputers. This could enable "in quanto" materials design and selection, where many materials are screened for their properties without needing to perform experiments. After many years of development of quantum computing technology, quantum computers have outperformed the world's fastest supercomputers for certain targeted problems. Nevertheless, the capabilities of current quantum computers are insufficient to enable standard quantum simulation algorithms to be run, and therefore the development of targeted quantum software is critical to harness the potential of existing quantum technologies.
In this project we will develop efficient quantum algorithms and software to solve modelling problems in photovoltaics. Our algorithms will be targeted at specific use-cases developed in collaboration with end-users, while being sufficiently general to address other materials modelling challenges. Based on our encouraging previous results, we expect to find significant improvements on previously known algorithmic complexities, reducing the resources required to simulate quantum systems, and bringing the solution of previously unfeasible problems into reach.We will implement our quantum software on a leading quantum hardware platform, and will evaluate it against the requirements of our expert end-users Oxford PV, and also against the results of classical simulation performed by UCL. Our results will enable the development of a roadmap for future exploitation and will open the door to quantum computing solving hard materials modelling challenges beyond the capability of standard methods.
The purpose of this project is to use a novel cell interconnect process to enable perovskite based semi-transparent Photovoltaic (PV) modules with non-standard dimensions for Building Integrated Photovoltaics (windows of high rise buildings), flexible PV modules using the material CIGS or for industrial roofs, and conventional thin film PV modules (CIGS/CdTe). In this project, the interconnect is achieved using a new laser ablation/inkjet process that works at speeds of up to 3m/sec. The sales target for this new process is >$10M per annum with attractive ongoing sales of specialist inks. The project will dramatically changes the way PV modules are manufactured reducing complexity and cost of manufacture, with flow on savings to customers and increased uptake of solar technologies which will offset fossil fuel demand, decreasing GHG emissions and increasing security of energy supply in the UK.
GRD Development of Prototype
Oxford Photovoltaics Ltd were the £100K winners in the energy section of the Competition for Disruptive Solutions’ at the Technology Strategy Board’s Innovate10 event. The Company successfully and efficiently completed its awarded project (No. 130404, TP 4127-37152) and now seeks further funding to support and exploit the pre-commercial development of this low cost and aesthetically attractive photovoltaic (PV) solar energy technology, with Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) as the initial focus. The product envisaged is solar power glazing: standard building glazing containing transparent PV modules with the appearance of tinted glass.
This project will deliver product prototype Glass PV modules and the associated pilot processing capability, ready for manufacturing scale-up and early release trials with strategic partners in the construction value chain.
The modules produced will use patent-protected solid-state dye sensitised solar cells (ssDSC), a novel transparent PV technology. The nano-engineered PV modules will combine large area deposition and patterning methods with standard glass manufacturing, to produce colourtinted glazing capable of stable and efficient solar powered electricity generation. The modules developed in the project will be available to architects in a broad palette of aesthetically pleasing colours and transparency options.
In further contrast to competing PV technologies, the use of low cost production methods and abundant materials enables low electricity production costs and low environmental impact. No other company is currently marketing solid state DSC products and the applicant’s
IP portfolio offers strong commercial advantage over emerging developments, and offers an opportunity to establish a globally dominant market position.
The wider goal of the applicants is to deliver a generic manufacturing process for their PV technology platform, in preparation for further market opportunities involving glass and alternate substrates, such as steel.
Oxford Photovoltaics Ltd is a spin-out from the University of Oxford's Physics Department. We have developed a unique new solar cell that is screen printed directly onto glass, enabling the production of windows and glazing products that generate electricity. Thes products are available in virtually any colour and provide an aesthetic solution for building facades and envelopes. This project enabled us to improve our manufacturing equipment, develop new manufacturing processes and hire engineering staff much more quickly than would otherwise have been possible.