High efficiency multi-junction solar cells on silicon
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | KUNGLIGA TEKNISKA HÖGSKOLAN - Skolan för informations- och kommunikationsteknik, Materialfysik |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 1 902 992 |
| Project duration | December 2012 - November 2014 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
The goals include the verification of the technical performance, benefits for customers, etc, that the inventions of direct III-V/Si heterojunction and Si based multi-junction solar cell (SiMJSC) offers. Establish a network with customers in photovoltaic market. Verify a viable business concept and a business model. Define a suitable IP strategy. Set up a company to explore the full value of the proprietary SiMJSC technology.
Results and expected effects
An innovative design of dual junction GaInP/Si solar cell was defined, fabricated and characterized. Start-up Tandem Sun AB was established to commercialize the SiMJSC technology developed in this project and a patent is pending. Positive customer feedbacks were acquired in an external market analysis. A key customer was identified and an engineering contract is under negotiation. The business model and business plan were constructed and reviewed by an investor with positive outcomes.
Approach and implementation
The project was implemented in stepwise and the goals were accomplished successfully. The market feedback to the proprietary SiMJSC technology is positive and a company was established to commercialize it. A reference design of SiMJSC was defined and the process flow was set up. A prototype SiMJSC was fabricated to identify the potential technical risks requiring further investigation before introducing the product to market. The supports from KTH Innovation and EIT-KIC InnoEnergy are the valuable assets to assure the success of this project.