THIN-FILM SOLAR CELLS
Thin-film solar cells are an alternative to the familiar rooftop modules made from crystalline silicon. They are suitable for more
applications. And they generate electricity in a broader variety of circumstances. They are typically lower in weight and can be made
flexible and semitransparant. So they easily fit into portable or distributed electronics on curved surfaces in e.g. buildings or even in
plastic films. Imec develops material, device architectures and processes to fabricate thin-film solar modules on an industrial scale.
WORLD-CLASS UPSCABLE PEROVSKITE MODULE TECHNOLOGY
KEY BENEFITS
+10% power conversion efficiency has already been demonstrated at imec for
perovskites modules of aperture area larger than 150 cm², outperforming any other
results reported so far.
O
O
(purple dot = imec result; gray dot = literature reports others)
O
O
Substainable material systems
Customized, high-throughput
processing
Spectral selectivity
Application-specific
THREE TYPES OF THIN-FILM PV
Imec works on three technologies of thin-film photovoltaics. For each, we select the
best-suited materials and finetune the process steps to come to stable efficient solar
cells and modules. Cells that can be produced cost-efficiently and at a large scale,
suited for integration in e.g. building construction and outdoor use. Cells also with
unique aesthetic features, color variations and even selectively transparant, seethrough modules.
PEROVSKITES
See-through, selectively transparant organic solar module suitable for energy
harvisting in windows
A material new to solar cells which has undergone a rapid development. The high
efficiency in solar cells and modules achieved with this material has attracted a lot of
attention. Module processing on relevant area of +150 cm2 shows the high potential
of this low-cost technology. A major challenge remains to better understand the
working mechanisms to improve the stability of the cells.
CIGS-ALTERNATIVES
Such as solar cells made from CZTS (Copper-Zinc-Tin-Selenide/Sulfide). These socalled Kesterites offer thus replacements for the scarce and potentially expensive
materials like indium and gallium in the CIGS-cells. Even further modifications to the
material composition allows for this class of materials to be used to augment the
output of silicon solar cells, in novel module concepts.
ORGANIC PV
Thin-film CZTSe solar cell archieving +10% efficiency
Solar cells made from organic semiconductors. These can be made in various colors
and even as semi-transparant Therefore, they are suited for application on glass or
plastic foils for window integration. The challenge is to guarantee a good and stable
efficiency over their lifetime. This requires a reliable packaging of the modules.
ABOUT IMEC AND SOLLIANCE
Imec’s research on thin-film photovoltaics is part of Solliance, a research alliance of
thin-film expertise in the Eindhoven-Leuven-Aachen region. Imec is a leader in R&D
for nanoelectronics. Imec’s research is applied in better healthcare, smart electronics,
safer transport and sustainable energy.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS R&D
If you are an established producer looking to improve your processes and extend the
range of cells you offer.
Or if you develop applications with solar cells, materials for solar cells, or integrate
solar cells in your product.
Or even if you are new to the field and interested in diving into this exciting,
promising domain ... you can join us as a research partner.
Come and discuss your plans and ideas with us. Together, we can draw up a win-win
collaboration program and IP scheme.
Application for thin-film solar cells
MOREINFORMATION
INFORMATION
MORE
tom.aernouts@imec.be
T +32 16 28 16 89
philip.pieters@imec.be
T +32 16 28 12 59
info@solliance.eu
www.solliance.eu
imec
Kapeldreef 75
3001 Leuven
Belgium
www.imec.be
DISCLAIMER. This information is provided ‘AS IS’, without any representation or warranty.
Imec is a registered trademark for the activities of imec International (a legal entity set up under Belgian law as a “stichting van openbaar nut”), imec Belgium (IMEC vzw, supported by the
Flemish Government), imec the Netherlands (Stichting IMEC Nederland, part of Holst Centre which is supported by the Dutch Government), imec Taiwan (IMEC Taiwan Co.), imec China (IMEC
Microelectronics Shanghai Co. Ltd.), imec India (IMEC India Private Limited) and imec USA (IMEC Inc).