Crystalsol’s pulverbasierte Photovoltaik: Neue Aufgaben für dünne Schichten

crystalsol’s printed photovoltaic module technology based on monolayers of single crystalline powders contains five thin layers, which together convert the excitation energy created by light absorption in the CZTS semiconductor single crystal into electrical voltage. Not only do they have to be very thin and of high quality but also have to be suitable for roll-to-roll printing of the modules and have to allow a high degree of flexibility in the finished module.

This contribution reports the latest progress of this technology based on Kesterite materials. The outline of a completely vacuum-free printing process for solar cell powders as well as for all contact materials will be shown, currently being set up as a prototype in our lab. As has been demonstrated already for most of the process steps, also commercially available printing lines as used in screen printing, e.g. for traffic signs, can directly be used. The design for a circular (cradle-to-cradle) economy makes it the currently only PV technology fully sustainable with very low material losses and energy input. The main commercial advantage is the possibility to produce already in relatively small scale (MW_p/a) for very low costs so that this technology is especially suitable also for developing countries interested in decentralized power production in remote areas.