Page 33 - European Energy Innovation - Autumn 2016 publication

Autumn 2016 European Energy Innovation 33

COMMUNICATION

following specific objectives have been
defined for the project:

• Development of a novel wafer
bonded four-junction solar cell
for better spectral matching with an
efficiency of 48% using advanced
materials and processes

• Development of a lattice-matched Wafer with multi-junction concentrator solar cells © Fraunhofer ISE
multi-junction solar cell with high
efficiency potential and low process
cost, comprising nanostructured
coatings and innovative lattice-
matched materials, obtained by
combing III-V and IV elements

• Development of innovative, Fresnel
lens-based HCPV modules

• Development of smart, mirror-based
HCPV modules

• Life-cycle and environmental
assessment of new multi-junction
cells and HCPV modules

• Assess the developments realized on
solar cells and modules by means of
adapted characterization methods

IMPACT Prototype of a new mirror-based concentrator. © ASSE
The central expected impact of this
project is to significantly increase CPV power plants in Southern Europe Project Coordinator
the technical performance of III-V could deliver predictable, low-cost Dr. Simon P. Philipps, Fraunhofer ISE
multi-junction solar cells and HCPV and reliable electricity and hence Dr. Andreas W. Bett, Fraunhofer ISE
modules and thus to lower the cost improve EU energy security by cpvmatch@ise.fraunhofer.de
for PV energy. HCPV systems reach lowering the need for energy imports www.cpvmatch.eu
efficiency levels which flat-plate PV will of fossil fuels and nuclear material.
never be able to reach cost-efficiently. This holds in particular as most of the This project has
In addition, CPVMatch will help to CPV manufacturing value chain lies received funding
increase the reliability, maintainability, within Europe and includes several from the European
and lifetime of CPV while increasing of the key enabling technologies, Union’s Horizon
simplicity and decreasing operation which were identified as essential for 2020 research and innovation
and maintenance costs. maintaining European competitiveness. programme under grant agreement
Many start-up and smaller companies No 640873. The authors are solely
One of the central aims of the exist in Europe that can produce CPV responsible for this information and
project is also to reduce the life-cycle systems, including cells, modules and it only reflects the author’s view. The
environmental impact of electricity other system components. Hence European Commission or any of
generation. HCPV systems already the success of this project will help their agencies are not responsible
have low energy payback times of to nurture the development of the for any use that may be made of the
6 to 9 months in Southern Europe, European industrial capacity to produce information it contains.
which will be further reduced through CPV components and systems and to
CPVMatch. Therefore, this project will open new opportunities for companies
contribute to solving the global climate and the strong research community in
and energy challenge by improving Europe. l
one of the most promising solar energy
technologies.

www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu