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Description
The goal of the project is to enhance research-based knowledge development in Baltic-Nordic states through cooperation by developing materials for semi-transparent bifacial cost-effective solar cells, which operate efficiently in full and faint sunlight, as well as snowy conditions. These solar cells present unlimited potential market applications - from light harvesting in shaded parts of houses to windows of electric cars to architecture. The market potential of these solar cells for residential and commercial solar PV in Nordic and Baltic countries is tremendous. This project builds on the pre-existing complementary scientific expertise in the related fields of synthesis of novel organic and inorganic hole conductor materials (KTU), their characterization (ISSP UL), thin film deposition and solar cell fabrication (TalTech), materials modelling and defect chemistry by first principles calculations as well as device modelling for solar cell modelling (IFE).
The solar cell technology developed in this project can add value to pre‐existing solar cell developments as these devices could efficiently generate electricity under complete cloud cover; hence, they are suitable for power generation in areas with below average insolation (for example Norway, Iceland, Baltic states) and substantial cloud cover, e.g. Northern Europe, Nordic countries, Canada. Thus, increasing variety and capacity of the power generation from the sunlight in such regions. Development of the technology would promote the start of new, innovative, and research‐intensive entrepreneurship, creation of working places for highly educated and skilled people. It would contribute towards fulfilling the EU aim to reduce CO2 pollution, and promote well‐being and healthy environment for the people today and in the future.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the challenge of the call related to Technologies and innovation development under the sub-topics: 1. Efficient urban energy systems (buildings, industry, services, transport and mobility) and 2. Renewable energy for local energy systems.
The aim to increase solar energy consumption both in Baltic and Nordic countries encouraged this international research collaboration. The aim of the project was to develop resource saving semi-transparent bifacial thin film solar cells working in full and faint sunlight, and snowy conditions – a unique solution for electricity production from sunlight in areas with sub-average sunlight, e.g. Nordic and Baltic countries. It is also very important, that the project contributed in fulfilling the EU aim for PV (photovoltaic) installations, to reduce CO2 pollution.
Goal of the project was to enhance research based knowledge development in Baltic-Nordic states through cooperation by developing materials for semi-transparent bifacial cost-effective solar cells, which operate efficiently both in full and faint sunlight, as well as snowy conditions. These solar cells present unlimited potential market applications - from light harvesting in shaded parts of houses to windows of electric cars and architecture. For example, modern buildings, especially high-rise buildings, have a large window area available for building-integrated photovoltaics, covering the windows with semi-transparent thin film solar cells creates energy-producing solar windows. The market potential of these solar cells for residential and commercial solar photovoltaics in Nordic and Baltic countries is tremendous. During the project participants have worked intensively on a series of tasks necessary for development of antimony chalcogenide bifacial solar cells. Device and material modelling, improving fabrication process of Sb2S3 and Sb2Se3 absorbers by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis, designing new organic semiconducting materials specifically for such devices, characterization of all necessary components, these were the key tasks that have been successfully accomplished. Finally, the time and resources were invested into construction and testing of the solar cells based on improved methods and materials, culminating in a development of Sb2Se3 bifacial solar cell prototype. This project was built on the partners'' pre-existing complementary scientific expertise in the related fields of synthesis of novel organic and inorganic materials, thin film deposition and solar cell fabrication, materials modelling and defect chemistry as well as device modelling for solar cells.
Material exchange between KTU, TalTech and ISSP was conducted on a regular basis. Materials developed at KTU have been sent to ISSP for characterization, and to TalTech for application in SC, while light absorber and other components optimization in TalTech was done in close cooperation with ISSP who performed characterization necessary for better understanding of processes involved.
The synergy of joint research collaboration gave novel input to development of such type of solar cells for innovative applications. The project stimulated collaborative research on the EU and regional level and offered splendid possibilities for PhD students and Postdocs to work in the frame of the international team.
18 PhDs (13M/5F) were involved in the project activities including 4 postdocs. 8 PhD candidates were also supported and had an excellent opportunity to collaborate within the international team.
The results of the project had a significant impact on national and regional economy by: 1. Providing technological innovation and faster implementation of affordable building integrated PV (photovoltaic) and near-zero energy houses; 2. Increasing the PV (photovoltaic) applications variety and capacity in the Baltic and Nordic countries; 3. The project was focusing on earth abundant and nontoxic materials, thus contributing to the well-being and healthy environment for the people today and in the future.
In summary, during project work has been done towards all 7 objectives outlined in the project application, and all milestones have been reached. Ten manuscripts have been prepared from the project results and published in CA WoS in Q1/Q2 quartile journals, including two papers investigating electron transporting materials (ETMs) published in “Synthetic Metals” and “RSC Advances” to showcase state-of-the-art devices and broaden application potential.
Project results have been presented at 20 international scientific conferences. One of the most significant conferences, where the project representatives delivered an invited talk - International Conference on Material Science and Engineering “Developing Emerging Inorganic Chalcogenides for Next Generation Earth Abundant Photovoltaics”, (Boston, MA, USA, 18-20.04.2022).
It was identified that current developments achieved during the project provide significant practical insights into the design of bifacial Sb-CAL thin film SCs and lay foundations for future development of thin film based bifacial PV systems. However, it was decided that IP protection would not strengthen the ability of the team to achieve the goals and obtained results are currently insufficient for commercialization.
Summary of bilateral results
Research teams jointly addressed project targets by organizing regular in person and online meetings where progress was reported, future steps planned, issues arising during different stages of the project discussed and solved by drawing upon diverse experience of team members with different backgrounds (chemists, material scientist, physicists specializing in organic or inorganic materials, device construction, theoreticians). Such composition of the team worked well to see the issue in question from different angles. Joint efforts towards dissemination of the project results have been coordinated. Partner from donor country contributed with expertise in modeling and theoretical calculations which were an important tool in predicting performance of devices and materials in future. Other project members gained practical knowledge on how to conduct such calculations, especially during staff exchange visits to and from donor partner. During project implementation skills and knowledge exchange between partners was significant, 21 young researchers were trained and had an opportunity to participate in high level international research, communicate with international partners, expand and strengthen their scientific networks.