Low cost photovoltaic panels capable of producing twenty times more power than standard cells are under development in Wales and could cut the financial payback time from ten years to just twelve months. 

The collaborative industrial research project by Swansea University, Swansea based Pure Wafer Solar and Gwent Electronic Materials (GEM) aims to have a full-scale pilot production line up and running within eighteen months.

The intention is then to set up a manufacturing facility capable of processing more than 2MW per annum – enough to generate power for more than 1000 homes.

It currently takes about ten years to recoup the cost of installing a PV system but the short financial payback and the low cost of these panels will make it economically attractive for businesses and investors.

The Welsh Government Academic Expertise for Business (A4B) programme is backing the innovative industrial collaboration. A4B is EU funded and supports highly innovative collaborative R&D projects between academia and industry to bring new high value products and processes to the market.

Novel nano-materials and advanced manufacturing processes will be utilised to create a clean and affordable energy supply using reclaimed silicon integrated into a low cost Concentrating PV (CVP) panel that intensifies the light focussed on to the cells, generating more power.

Rather than trying to increase the efficiency of PV cells through a complex and expensive process, the aim is to increase the intensity of light that hits the cell using low cost nano scale lenses.

Business Minister Edwina Hart said that in the current economic climate it is more important than ever that Welsh industry takes advantage of the innovation and know how provided by academic research.

“The application of these skills to industrial partners can bring considerable benefits to individual companies and the wider economy. This particular project has the potential to help meet renewable energy targets and create green jobs in two of our key sectors.”
The use of reclaimed silicon wafers will dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of the PV modules. Reclaimed wafers are readily available from Pure Wafer - the world’s second largest wafer reclaim business (see Notes to Editors).

Unlike standard silicon cells, PV cells fabricated from recycled silicon require vastly reduced thermal processing, making them the greenest possible silicon PV option.

The reclaimed wafers - which measure up to 300mm sq – mean the silicon cells will be nearly twice the standard size. When incorporated in a CPV module, up to twenty times more power could be generated than from standard modules, with little additional cell cost.

The inks used for electrical contacts can make up almost 30% of solar cell manufacturing costs and GEM will develop lower-cost inks with optimised electrical performance for concentration

Dr Owen Guy who is leading the project said support from A4B would ensure the rapid transfer of technology from the lab to the production line.

“This step change in PV electrical generation will have a huge economic and environmental impact by reducing the energy payback time from five years to six months and the economic pay back time from ten years to one year.

“It will make PV electricity generation economically viable even without the current Feed in Tariff and make investment in PV installations very financially attractive.”

Story Courtesy of the Welsh Assembly Government