SITA
The SITA project whose beneficiary is, among others, Roltec aims to create a stable inorganic tandem photovoltaic cell with increased efficiency and durability. Universities, institutes and industry representatives take part in the project financed by the European Union.
Solutions that increase the efficiency and durability of photovoltaic cells are constantly being sought. Tandem panels provide opportunities for a dramatic increase in efficiency and a reduction in the cost of generating kW of energy per square meter. The SITA consortium is developing a solution combining silicon cells with CIGS cells.
Roltec's tasks under the SITA Project:
- industrial application of the rear contact,
- laser structuring (Roltec is the leader of the task),
- module encapsulation,
- evaluation of industrial use.
The combination of two mature technologies will result in the creation of a photovoltaic cell with an efficiency exceeding 30% and a durability of over 30 years.
SITA project in numbers:
SITA aims to explore the innovative concept of tandem solar cells with a 2-terminal (2T) approach based on two technologies: Silicon Heterojunction (SHJ) and Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S) 2 (CIGS) with a wide band gap.
The innovative tandem concept – which does not require additional cables or electronics – is made possible thanks to the latest developments in the development of wide-gap CIGS, achieving efficiencies above 18%. SITA will demonstrate the durability of the new modules under realistic outdoor conditions, delivering the next generation of stable inorganic tandem solar modules with the highest device efficiency (>30%).
SITA technology will be based on SHJ modules and will increase their efficiency by a factor of 1.5, with a marginal increase in the consumption of the most expensive raw materials. This in turn leads to a significant reduction in area-related system costs of up to 25% per installed capacity and a corresponding reduction in the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE).
Tandem junction efficiencies have recently approached or even exceeded the Shockley-Queisser limit for single-junction prototype devices. SITA will address remaining limitations in terms of stability, scalability, production costs and environmental impact.
The SITA consortium, apart from Roltec, also includes: Upssala Universitet, Martin-Luther Universität Halle, Univerisité du Luxembourg, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, imec, Center National de la Recherche Scientifique, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Empa, Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Württemberg, Sunplugged, Meyer Burger and Vlaamse Instelling Voor Technologisch Onderzoek NV
Photo from an optical microscope
Photo from an SEM microscope
Photo from an SEM microscope
Funded by the European Union. Program: HORIZON , Recruitment: HORIZON-CL5-2021-D3-02, Project ID: 101075626 .
Horizon Europe is the largest research and innovation program in the history of the European Union. Its aim is to support innovation in Europe in the field of environmental, energy, digital and geopolitical challenges. The program budget is EUR 95.5 billion. Horizon Europe strengthens scientific cooperation within European Union member states, increases economic growth and promotes competitiveness. More information on the Horizon program website .
