Flexible design of building integrated thin-film photovoltaics

Abstract

The high cost of building integrated photovoltaics is one of the main reasons preventing a more widespread application. We propose a panel-on-demand concept for flexible design of building integrated thin-film photovoltaics to address this issue. The concept is based on the use of semi-finished PV modules (standard mass products) with subsequent refinement into BIPV PV modules. In this study, we demonstrate the three processes necessary to realize this concept. First, a prototype tool to cut thin film photovoltaic elements on glass substrates based on laser perforation was developed. Damage to the processed samples did not exceed a distance of 50 μm from laser cuts. Second, oxide/metal/oxide-electrodes with integrated colour were applied on Cu (In, Ga)Se2 cells and standard monolithic interconnection structuring was used to produce modules sized 30 × 30 cm2 in red, green and blue with strong colours. Third, A back-end interconnection process was developed for amorphous silicon thin film cells, which allows for the structuring of modules from elements of custom shape. The panel-on-demand strategy may allow for a streamlined production of customized modules and a lower cost for aesthetically pleasing, fully building integrated solar modules.