Progress in solar technologies – from research to application
EU group project presents its results: high efficiencies with less material
A workshop entitled "European Solar Technology Forum – from Research to Industrial Application" took place at HZB to conclude of the European CHEETAH project on November 30, 2017. More than 100 participants from the most important European research institutes in the field of photovoltaics and from numerous universities came together with representatives from industry in order to discuss the progress achieved by CHEETAH.
Three different types of soclar cells have been greatly improved:
Silicon photovoltaics: wafer thickness cut by half
Efforts in the field of silicon photovoltaics have been directed towards the use of ever-thinner wafers in manufacturing photovoltaic modules. Several modules whose cells were 90-100 microns thick were presented at the workshop. These enable considerable savings in materials compared to standard modules with cell thicknesses of 180 microns.
Reducing material consumption in chalcopyrite solar cells by implementing an integrated lens system.
The approach to saving materials in thin-film solar cells made of chalkopyrites (Cu(In,Ga)Se2) was different: the cells were reduced in area and an integrated lens system incorporated into the module to concentrate the sunlight irradiating the cells. The goal is to achieve an efficiency level at least as high as that of current commercial modules while using considerably less material. The first prototypes already demonstrate that the method works in principle and can even reach higher efficiency levels than standard cells under certain circumstances due to the higher light intensity.
Extending the operating life of hybrid solar cells
The third topic in CHEETAH involved organic and hybrid solar cells. In this part of the project, polymer encapsulation materials were measured in an extensive series of tests and correlated with the operating life of the cells. The operating life of these solar cells could be increased to several years using the best of these polymers.
The presentations can be viewed here
- Porous Radical Organic framework improves lithium-sulphur batteriesA team led by Prof. Yan Lu, HZB, and Prof. Arne Thomas, Technical University of Berlin, has developed a material that enhances the capacity and stability of lithium-sulphur batteries. The material is based on polymers that form a framework with open pores (known as radical-cationic covalent organic frameworks or COFs). Catalytically accelerated reactions take place in these pores, firmly trapping polysulphides, which would shorten the battery life. Some of the experimental analyses were conducted at the BAMline at BESSY II.
- Shedding light on insulators: how light pulses unfreeze electronsMetal oxides are abundant in nature and central to technologies such as photocatalysis and photovoltaics. Yet, many suffer from poor electrical conduction, caused by strong repulsion between electrons in neighboring metal atoms. Researchers at HZB and partner institutions have shown that light pulses can temporarily weaken these repulsive forces, lowering the energy required for electrons mobility, inducing a metal-like behavior. This discovery offers a new way to manipulate material properties with light, with high potential to more efficient light-based devices.
- Key technology for a future without fossil fuelsIn June and July 2025, catalyst researcher Nico Fischer spent some time at HZB. It was his sabbatical, he was relieved of his duties as Director of the Catalysis Institute in Cape Town for several months and was able to focus on research only. His institute is collaborating with HZB on two projects that aim to develop environmentally friendly alternatives using innovative catalyst technologies. The questions were asked by Antonia Rötger, HZB.