Goal of the project is to enhance research?based knowledge development in Baltic Nordic states through cooperation by developing
materials for semi?transparent bifacial cost?effective solar cells, which operate efficiently in full and faint sunlight, as well as snowy
conditions. These solar cells present unlimited potential market applications ? from light harvesting in shaded parts of houses to windows of
electric cars to architecture. The market potential of these solar cells for residential and commercial solar PV in Nordic and Baltic countries
is tremendous. This project builds on the pre?existing complementary scientific expertise in the related fields of synthesis of novel organic
and inorganic hole conductor materials (KTU), their characterization (ISSP UL), thin film deposition and solar cell fabrication (TalTech),
materials modelling and defect chemistry by first principles calculations as well as device modelling for solar cell modelling (IFE).
In this project Sb?chalcogenide absorbers and solar cell structures will be theoretically modeled to improve understanding of dopant induced
changes on the optoelectronic properties of absorber materials and establish the guidelines for solar cell processing. Sb-chalcogenide
and metal oxide materials will be deposited by simple resource?efficient and area?scalable methods, e.g. chemical spray
pyrolysis, and low vacuum methods, e.g. closed space sublimation. Semi?transparent bifacial thin film solar cells require development of
HTM molecules with characteristics matching the Sb?chalcogenide material. Efficient, sufficiently transparent, and deposable by simple
spray coating HTM materials will be developed and characterized for these solar cells.
The synergy of joint research collaboration gives novel input to development of such solar cells for innovative applications. The project
stimulates collaborative research on EU and regional level and offers splendid possibilities for PhD and postdoctoral students’ research.
Project partners information on the ongoing project and its funding from the European Economic Area (EEA) countries (Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Norway 2014-2021 financial mechanism provide via:
• Institute for Energy Technology (Norway) on the institution’s website www.ife.no (https://ife.no/en/front-page/)
• Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia) on the website of the Laboratory of Thin Film Chemical Technologies of the Tallinn University of Technology www.taltech.ee (https://www.taltech.ee/en/laboratory-thin-film-chemical-technologies#p29981), and on Central Estonian Research Information Systems www.etis.ee (https://www.etis.ee/Portal/Projects/Display/895639b6-1ab1-4fca-9013-957abf63f440?lang=ENG)
• Institute of Solid State Physics (Latvia) on the institution’s website www.cfi.lu.lv (https://www.cfi.lu.lv/en/research/projects/eea-and-norway-grants/development-of-semi-transparent-bifacial-thin-film-solar-cells-for-innovative-applications/).
Project funding:
Baltic Research Program funded by the European Economic Area and Norway 2014-2021 financial mechanisms
Project results:
Antimony chalcogenides continue to fascinate the scientific community with a tuneable band gap of 1.1–1.7 eV, an absorption coefficient of 105 cm?1 in visible light, and an anisotropic 1D-ribbon-like structure, which facilitates charge carrier transport and inhibits recombination. Due to these properties one of the most intriguing applications of these materials could be a semi-transparent absorber for semi-transparent or bifacial solar cells. For example, modern buildings, especially high-rise buildings, have a large window area available for building-integrated photovoltaics, covering the windows with semi-transparent thin film solar cells creates energy-producing solar windows. Development of semi-transparent bifacial cost-effective solar cells, which operate efficiently in full and faint sunlight, as well as snowy conditions could be the key to further increase the share, and range of application of PV in areas with sub?average sunlight, including Baltic and Nordic countries.
First year the project participants focused on the tasks related to the deeper theoretical understanding of the processes involved, development and characterization of the antimony chalcogenide light absorption layer, as well as materials for supporting p-type semiconducting layer. The time and resources were also invested into construction and testing of the solar cells based on earlier mentioned components.
Second year the project participants focused on the tasks related to the device modelling, improving the fabrication process of Sb2S3 absorbers by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis, as well as materials for p-type semiconducting layer. The time and resources were also invested into construction and testing of the solar cells based on improved methods and materials.
Period of project implementation: 2021-01-01 - 2023-12-31
Project coordinator: Kaunas University of Technology
Project partners: TALLINN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, INSTITUTE OF SOLID STATE PHYSICS OF UNIVERSITY OF LATVIA, Institute for Energy Technology (IFE)
