Customised Photovoltaic Cells

Customised Photovoltaic Cells Scientific Knowledge for Modern Applications

Our Offer - product development and scientific support - semiconductor components ready for assembly - feasibility studies on new technologies

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE offers a variety of high-quality semiconductor products which have resulted from long-term research on solar cells at highest efficiency values. We have developed a whole range of cell sizes and designs for various application areas. In addition to operational cells, we offer our scientific know-how to implement your specific ideas. The integration of highly efficient solar cells into portable consumer electronics, such as cell phones or hand held computers, offers a totally new functionality, aiming for more independence from the electrical grid. In addition to the very high-efficiency silicon solar cells used for our SPISE (Solar Powered by ISE solar cells) technology, we offer professional electronic solutions as well as space-saving and aesthetic device integration. Another key field for the application of our PV cells is their use in concentrator systems. Our single-, tandem- or triple-junction concentrator cells of silicon or compound semiconductors display ultimate performance at the highest international level. Since cell efficiency is only one requirement to create a successful concentrator system, we have also focussed on the optical and mechanical components of such systems resulting in our unique FLATCON*design. Applications for our photovoltaic cells are by no means limited to solar energy conversion. For example, GaSb low band-gap cells are used in thermophotovoltaics to convert thermal radiation with wavelengths up to 1750 nm into electricity. Furthermore, these cells are excellent detectors in the infrared. The list of useful applications for our wide range of PV cells is long and still growing. The development of new photovoltaic cells at Fraunhofer ISE is based on excellent technological infrastructure and detailed understanding of the physical background of photovoltaics. We would be happy to share our experience with you to let your specific idea become reality.

Our Special Facilities - clean-room laboratory for producing high-efficiency silicon and compound semiconductor solar cells - epitaxial equipment for III-V semiconductors (LPE: Liquid Phase Epitaxy and MOVPE: Metal Organic Vapour Phase Epitaxy) - equipment for in-depth analysis of PV cells and systems

Evaporation of metal contacts

* FLATCON: Fresnel Lens All-glass Tandem Cell Concentrator

Fraunhofer ISE

Solar Cell Technology

AIX 2600-G3 MOVPE* reactor with 8 x 4 or 24 x 2 configuration

The development of highly efficient and customer-oriented solar cells has a long and successful tradition at Fraunhofer ISE. Our 500 m2 clean room with its high-tech equipment offers an optimal work bench for the fabrication of both, silicon and compound semiconductor solar cells. With the aid of our comprehensive characterisation tools for analysing starting materials and cells, we have achieved several international record efficiencies.

Compound Semiconductor Technology A highly flexible, industrial size MOVPE* reactor is used for the process development and epitaxial growth of compound semiconductors. Fifteen different sources are connected to this system, which is used for the growth of arsenides, phosphides and antimonides for optoelectronic applications. In-situ measurement techniques allow instant access to important growth parameters. Six years of experience with this 8x4-inch multiwafer MOVPE* reactor give us a solid base for understanding the many parameters involved.

* MOVPE: Metal Organic Vapour Phase Epitaxy

Silicon Cells Starting from a high level of cell efficiency, our research has two main goals: the development of new and innovative cell structures for a wide range of applications like space or concentrating systems and the transfer of high-efficiency cell structures to industrial mass production. The second goal in particular is achieved by a close cooperation between the clean room technology and our state-of-the-art industrial solar cell production line.

Robot in the automatic photoresist system for silicon wafers in the clean room at Fraunhofer ISE.

Characterisation The analysis of all optical and electrical losses is one of several key points for the successful development of new solar cell structures. Our pool of material and cell analysis tools is probably the most comprehensive worldwide and can thus cope with all challenges raised by the in-house cell development. Certainly, it can also clarify problems identified by our customers.

Short-circuit current map of a solar cell indicating the spacial variation in material quality on a silicon wafer.

Fraunhofer ISE

SPISE Technology

SPISE* Solar Cell Technology At the heart of SPISE* are highefficiency silicon solar cells which deliver significantly more power than conventional cells. This difference is even more pronounced at low illumination intensities. This is decisive for power supplies for portable electronic devices which are mostly operated indoors.

24% Efficiency 20 16 12 8 4 0,01 0,1 1 10 100

Illumination Density / mW cm-2 Fraunhofer ISE High-Efficiency Cell Commercial Monocrystalline Cell Commercial Multicrystalline Cell

SPISE* Module Technology Fraunhofer ISE cells are interconnected in an innovative manner resulting in increased module efficiency and aesthetic appearance. Thanks to their special design, it is possible to shingle our cells and thus significantly reduce the reflection due to the front metal contacts. The modules are integrated in the device housing, resulting in a very elegant appearance.

Increasing mobility, demanding gridindependent power supply, stimulates the development of modern electronic devices. An obvious solution is our SPISE* technology which offers a customised power supply for mobile phones, hand-held computers, etc.

* Solar Powered by ISE solar cells

SPISE* Electronics Optimised system technology is vital for a reliable power supply. Based on our comprehensive experience in ultra low power designs, we develop custom-tailored power conditioning units like MPP-trackers, battery charging circuits, battery management systems and DC/DC-converters with ultra high efficiency.

Fraunhofer ISE

Specific Applications

Concentrator Cells Depending on the illumination density of the intended application, silicon concentrator cells are used up to 100 suns whereas multijunction cells made of compound semiconductors are utilised at high concentration of up to 2000 suns. Our unique high-performance technology is used for silicon concentrator cells with efficiencies reaching 25% at 30 suns. Stacking solar cells of different compound semiconductor materials allows us to increase the efficiency further. Record values up to 32% have been obtained at 300-500 suns. A large variety of monolithic and mechanically stacked concepts is available for concentrator systems working between 10 and 2000 suns.

III-V concentrator cell 2mm FLATCON* test modules

Special-Purpose PV Cells A growing number of applications for low and high band-gap cells of compound semiconductors can be found in thermophotovoltaics (TPV), and for laser power and signal beaming. - TPV systems convert the thermal radiation of an emitter at 1000 1500 C, e.g. a gas burner, directly into electricity. Applications are expected in the low power range up to 500 W. - For laser power transmission, high band-gap semiconductors are used to convert the laser beam into electricity. Useful applications are found in the fields of telecommunications, signal and energy transfer to rotating systems, and power supplies for switches and electronic devices. A variety of different cell sizes, structures and packaging has been realised.

Concentrator Systems Recently we have developed the so-called FLATCON* system using our own highest efficiency monolithic multijunction solar cells. The sun is concentrated by a factor of 500 by using high quality Fresnel-lenses from silicone a material used in space module production. A short focal distance of only 75 mm allows a compact and flat design, hermetically sealed with glass. An unparalleled performance of up to 25% system efficiency has been reached. The entire concentrator technology from the solar cell to the tracking system, carrying up to 5 kW of FLATCON modules has been developed inhouse. The concept is ready for market introduction. For latest news see also www.pv-concentrator.com

From left to right: Cells and system for thermophotovoltaics (left) and laser power transmission (right)

* FLATCON: Fresnel Lens All-glass Tandem Cell Concentrator

Fraunhofer ISE

Address Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE Heidenhofstr. 2 79110 Freiburg Germany Tel.: +49 (0) 7 61/45 88-0 Fax.: +49 (0) 7 61/45 88-90 00 www.ise.fhg.de

Contact Persons Silicon Dr. Stefan Glunz Tel.: +49 (0) 7 61/45 88 51 91 Fax.: +49 (0) 7 61/45 88 92 50 E-mail: stefan.glunz@ise.fhg.de Compound semiconductors Dr. Andreas Bett Tel.: +49 (0) 7 61/45 88 52 57 Fax.: +49 (0) 7 61/45 88 92 50 E-mail: andreas.bett@ise.fhg.de www.III-V.de MOVPE Dr. Frank Dimroth Tel.: +49 (0) 7 61/45 88 52 58 Tel.: +49 (0) 7 61/45 88 92 50 E-mail: frank.dimroth@ise.fhg.de www.epiproducts.de System components: Electronics Dr. Bruno Burger Tel.: +49 (0) 7 61/45 88 52 37 Fax.: +49 (0) 7 61/45 88 92 37 E-mail : bruno.burger@ise.fhg.de Module Integration Dipl. Phys. Helge Schmidhuber Tel.: +49 (0) 7 61/45 88 51 93 Fax.: +49 (0) 7 61/45 88 93 20 E-mail : helge.schmidhuber@ise.fhg.de www.pv-devices.com

New premises for Fraunhofer ISE, planned and designed according to the motto: exemplary building with the sun.

Visit us on the Internet! www.ise.fhg.de

Top: Diffusion furnace for silicon solar cells. Middle: FLATCON module. Bottom: Hand-held computer powered by SPISE.