Competency

June 1st, 2018

A critical challenge in solution-based solar cells research is that research practices are far removed from industrial feasibility.

At CSIRO, we work on developing materials, processes, and instruments towards a seamless transition from laboratory research cells fabrication to industrial-scale production.

We apply scalable printing/coating methods in our laboratory research cells enabling us to swiftly transfer the process to large-scale production.

 

Research cell

  • 10 mm2 cells on 25 mm wide ITO on flexible substrate
  • 240 single cells per metre length film
  • Feasibility test cells fabricated using a benchtop roll-to-roll machine.

CSIRO research module

  • 10×10 cm2 standard module for research.  Metal electrode may be either evaporated or printed.
  • Voltage exceeding 5 V.
  • On-demand production of quantity.
  • Roll-to-roll fabrication.

CSIRO large-area module

  • 30 cm wide modules of varying length
  • A single module contains 16-20 interconnected cells.

CSIRO serially-interconnected modules

  • 30 cm wide modules with various length interconnected ideally to infinite length.
  • 5 cm long interconnected modules were integrated with roofing plates (See CRC-P project) and installed for public demonstration at Melbourne Zoo (See Melbourne-Zoo project).

CSIRO printing throughput

  • Minimum length of 2.5 cm (laboratory cells) to a maximum length of 100 m (30 cm wide) flexible substrate has been employed in a single printing run.
  • Greater than 100 m total length is possible.