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Technology that increases the efficiency of Si-crystalline solar photovoltaic module and defends its photosensitive surfaces

Country of Origin: Armenia
Reference Number: TOAM20170414001
Publication Date: 26 April 2017

Summary

An Armenian company active in development of solar photovoltaic panels has developed innovative technology for solar photovoltaic cells and modules, which increases the efficiency of solar energy conversion. Partners are sought for improving and finalizing the technology for further commercial use/manufacturing. The company is looking for Commercial agreement with technical assistance, Technical cooperation agreement and /or Research cooperation agreement.

Description

An Armenian company which have experience in  development and installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules has developed si-crystalline solar photovoltaic modules, which increase the efficiency  up to 3-5% and lifetime up to 2 times.

The first version is a photovoltaic module of solar energy, in which photosensitive surfaces of Si-crystalline elements with p-n junctions are covered with 3 layers of thin-film dielectric diamond –like carbone (DLC). These layers have correspondingly reflective indices and thicknesses. This guarantee both a very low 0.5-1% reflection in the photosensitive region of spectrum and stability of surface from the external erosive effects. Photosensitive elements are connected with a metal conducting grid and are installed in rectangular flat box that has a stable and elastic net against hail. This increases the lifetime of photovoltaic module up to 2 times and the efficiency up to 6%, compared with other modern glass-protected Si-crystalline photovoltaic modules. Module has pyronometer that registers intensity of solar radiation. In case of zero signal of pyronometer the reductor-motor closes the surface of module, in case of positive reading it opens surface again.

The second version of photovoltaic module differs from the first one that Si-crystalline photovoltaic element with 3 very low reflective  DLC layers installed in conjunctive, solid and thermal dissipative compound and above it at a distance of about 0.5 mm a non-fragile, non-reflective 3 mm thick glass is glued. The structure of two layers is hermetically sealed in hollow aluminum edge-frame, in two different slots. In upper section at a distance of 0.5mm, only protective glass without plumbing polymer layer (for example ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA)) is installed. EVA decreases the lifetime as well as the power of module due to decrease in light transmission under ultraviolet region of solar radiation.

Third version differs from the other two that the surface of Si-crystalline elements with p-n junction instead of metallic current drain grid, a conducting and transparent DLC layer for collecting the light-induced current is installed. On this layer, three of non-reflecting and protecting DLC thin films are deposited, which increases efficiency of module by 3%, due to opening of additional surface photosensitive area shadowed by metallic grid in conventional PV cells. The exclusion from production process the cycle of photolithographic obtaining of metallic grid will make the PV element price much lower. 

The company is looking for partners who would improve and  optimize the offered technology under Commercial agreement with technical assistance, technical cooperation agreement and /or Research cooperation agreement and bring it to the stage of commercial prototype with the aim for further manufacturing of the product.

Advantages and Innovations

Researched new production technology of solar photovoltaic modules increases the efficiency up to 3-5% and lifetime up to 2 times. It decreases the lithographic cycle that means the need to cover the surfaces of element with metal grid and to hermetic plumbing photovoltaic elements with glass. These innovations will also bring to decrease in the module cost.

The main difference of the new module is the wrapping of the photosensitive surface of Si element with 3 thin-film DLC layers, that differing from each other with reflective indexes and layer thicknesses. These layers make the whole domain of photosensitivity non-reflective for photovoltaic element. This technology can be applied to protect the surfaces of cutting or abrasive instruments from raveling, it can have also many other innovative uses.

Stage Of Development

Field tested/evaluated

Stage Of Development Comment

TRL 7. The prototype of the photovoltaic solar cells is ready for demonstration. the photovoltaic modules are near with final producing scheme. The tests of the photovoltaic modules were successfully made in Armenia, Russia and USA under natural conditions with solar rays of 1000 W/m2, AM 1.5 spectral and 25-300C conditions.

Requested partner

R&D and manufacturing companies who will be willing to optimize the technology with the aim to bring it to the commercial prototype under the technical cooperation agreement and /or research cooperation agreement or commercial agreement with technical assistance.