Press Release - ISC Konstanz

PRESS RELEASE
GP Solar and ISC Konstanz receive BMU funding to
develop metal pastes for n-type solar cells
Constance, 13-11-2012. GP Solar, Germany, together with the International
Solar Energy Research Center Constance (ISC Konstanz e.V.) have received
funding from the German environment ministry (BMU) to support research into
metal pastes for electrical contacts on the p-doped surfaces of solar cells. The
German federal government is taking advantage of its 6 th energy research
programme to continue its support for the development and expansion of
renewable energy.
Improving the electrical contacts on p-doped surfaces forms a key component
of the new n-type solar cell concept – of which back-contact and bifacial cells
are examples - and is an important step in the further development of Si solar
cells. In these technologies, which will be critical in the next generation of PV
devices, creating electrical contacts on p-layers is a tremendous challenge.
The so-called MetalTopp project aims to develop and evaluate metal pastes
capable forming a strong metal-semiconductor bond with low output
impedance on boron-doped p-type layers. The development aims to achieve
laboratory efficiencies of more than 21 per cent for crystalline Si solar cells
which can be transferred to industrial production.
“The development of p+ contacting pastes is in its infancy, however we expect
that it will become an essential component of many new solar cell concepts in
the very near future. We are pleased that the funding for this project has made
it possible for us to conduct research on this interface which is so critical to the
solar cells of the future,” says Dr. Eric Rüland, managing director of GP Solar.
GP Solar’s years of experience in the development of screen printing pastes
and metallisation processes combined with the comprehensive knowledge of
n-type solar cells at ISC makes this cooperation an ideal research partnership.
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The project will span a two-year period and receive 832 thousand euros of
funding volume.
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About GP Solar GmbH
GP Solar is a global provider of inspection systems, consumables, and
technological consulting services for the photovoltaic industry. Since 1999 the
company has been supplying and advising its clients in the solar cell and
module manufacturing industries from its headquarters in Konstanz on Lake
Constance. In 2011 the company's total operating performance was more than
30 million euros. GP Solar is part of the centrotherm photovoltaics group and
does business throughout the world with some 130 personnel. In addition to
the headquarters, the service center and the R&D center in Germany, there
are local teams in Taiwan, USA, India, Korea, China, Singapore and Japan.
About ISC Konstanz e.V.
ISC Konstanz is a research institute, which specializes in research and
development of crystalline silicon solar cells and modules. The ISC is ranked
among the top research institutes in the world undertaking research on Si
industrial solar cells. Since the time of its foundation, ISC Konstanz
experienced vivid growth. Currently 50 employees are dedicated to reduce
costs and increase efficiency of solar cells.
Press contact:
GP Solar GmbH
Reichenaustr. 21
78467 Konstanz
Germany
Susan Heidrich
Corporate Communication & Public Relations
Tel: +49 7531.3610 46-41
E-mail: susan.heidrich@gpsolar.de
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