World-class expertise in the ar eas of Si feedstock production, crystallization, advanced material synthesis, characterization and modelling, as well as solar cell process technology has been established through a number of research projects in recent years. Norwegian industry currently has its focus on Si wafer-based solar cells, which is a well-established research field in Norway. However, a future oriented Centre must also carry out research on new materials, devices and processes. New developments in these fields can produce major contributions into the cost-effectiveness of traditional Si-based solar cells and may also pave the way for breakthroughs by new cell concepts.
Research in the Centre will be performed in six interdisciplinary and inter-institutional work packages. Thes e will target issues that are critical for the successful development of low-cost and/or high-efficiency solar cells. Five competence-building work packages are planned within the Centre. These are
- WP1: Mono- and multicrystalline silicon
- WP2: Next gener ation modelling tools for silicon crystallization and subsequent cooling
- WP3: Solar cell and module technology
- WP4: New materials for next generation solar cells
- WP5: Solar cell material and device characterization methodology development
- A value chain demonstration project (WP6) for implementing the results of the other work packages into demonstrations of solar cell prototypes is also planned. In addition, the Centre will host a research scool.
The project was funded by the Research council of Norway
