01.19.23
Tech4Win began in January 2019 and proposed a highly innovative transparent photovoltaic (PV) window concept that is based on the integration of an ultraviolet (UV) selective coating, working as a UV filter and as a PV device converting the UV light from the sun into electricity, and an infrared (IR) selective PV device that will transform the IR light from the sun into electricity, allowing unhampered transmission of the visible light through the window structure.
This window concept maximizes the generation of electricity from the non-visible parts of the solar light, keeping a high level of transparency in the visible region and combining sustainable and industrial compatible technologies. The inclusion of a highly efficient UV filter will prevent from degradation, boosting the robustness and stability of the devices as required for long lifetime windows.
After four years of activity, the project has allowed the achievement of relevant results in the development of highly innovative semi-transparent UV and IR selective devices:
• Demonstration of a first proof of concept of UV selective functional solar cells based in the integration of Zn(OS) nanometric layers showing a very high transparency (up to 75%) and optical quality.
• Development of new device architectures based in the integration of a-Si nanometric layers in oxide based heterostructures with the achievement of devices with photovoltaic conversion efficiencies up to 2% and transparency in the range 35% - 60%.
• Demonstration of new IR selective organic solar cells based in the use of stable and industrial compatible polymers with photovoltaic conversion efficiencies up to 5% and transparency in the range 41% - 59%.
• Demonstration of the scalability of the processes up to 30 x 30 cm2 size, with the development of functional IR modules with transparency 43% and high optical quality (CRI > 70) using roll to roll industrial processes.
• Integration of developed modules in first window prototypes adapting industrial lamination processes. Demonstration of the long term stability (projected lifetime ≥ 20 years) of prototypes integrating functional IR modules.
These results allow to stablish the basis for a new generation of semi-transparent PV devices using both inorganic- and organic-based technologies and compatible with the cost, stability and industrial compatibility requirements that are needed for a successful transfer, in the midterm range, of these processes and products to industrial production, looking towards new semi-transparent BIPV non-intrusive elements with very high aesthetic quality.
This window concept maximizes the generation of electricity from the non-visible parts of the solar light, keeping a high level of transparency in the visible region and combining sustainable and industrial compatible technologies. The inclusion of a highly efficient UV filter will prevent from degradation, boosting the robustness and stability of the devices as required for long lifetime windows.
After four years of activity, the project has allowed the achievement of relevant results in the development of highly innovative semi-transparent UV and IR selective devices:
• Demonstration of a first proof of concept of UV selective functional solar cells based in the integration of Zn(OS) nanometric layers showing a very high transparency (up to 75%) and optical quality.
• Development of new device architectures based in the integration of a-Si nanometric layers in oxide based heterostructures with the achievement of devices with photovoltaic conversion efficiencies up to 2% and transparency in the range 35% - 60%.
• Demonstration of new IR selective organic solar cells based in the use of stable and industrial compatible polymers with photovoltaic conversion efficiencies up to 5% and transparency in the range 41% - 59%.
• Demonstration of the scalability of the processes up to 30 x 30 cm2 size, with the development of functional IR modules with transparency 43% and high optical quality (CRI > 70) using roll to roll industrial processes.
• Integration of developed modules in first window prototypes adapting industrial lamination processes. Demonstration of the long term stability (projected lifetime ≥ 20 years) of prototypes integrating functional IR modules.
These results allow to stablish the basis for a new generation of semi-transparent PV devices using both inorganic- and organic-based technologies and compatible with the cost, stability and industrial compatibility requirements that are needed for a successful transfer, in the midterm range, of these processes and products to industrial production, looking towards new semi-transparent BIPV non-intrusive elements with very high aesthetic quality.