Researchers at the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice have developed a new type of solar cell potentially competitive with Chinese mass-produced models.
New Solar Cell Technology Developed in Poland
Scientists from the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice have developed a new type of solar cell that could compete with existing Chinese products. The Polish invention may offer a cheaper alternative to Asian solutions.
Thin-Film Solar Cells and Production Method
The invention, “Thin-film solar cells and a method for their production,” was developed by a team from the Scientific and Didactic Laboratory of Nanotechnology and Materials Technology. Dr. Marek Szindler, one of the inventors, notes that similar cells already exist but have limitations.
“Classic silicon cells are made using thick-film technology, making them relatively heavy, large, and rigid, limiting their applications, especially in lightweight constructions or mobile solutions,” says Dr. Szindler.
Reduced Energy Consumption and Material Usage
Traditional production requires very high temperatures and a large amount of material, leading to high energy consumption. According to the creators, “thin-film silicon cells can eliminate some of these problems.”
Lower Production Costs and Increased Flexibility
“In our solution, the active layers are very thin, on the order of tens of nanometers, which means less material consumption. They can also be produced at lower temperatures. This makes it possible to reduce production costs, decrease the weight of the cells and entire panels, and achieve flexibility, which is also very interesting,” explains Dr. Szindler.
Expanded Application Range
These cells can be deposited on glass substrates, polymer films, or metal tapes, significantly expanding their range of applications.
Environmentally Friendly Production Process
The production technology is also less harmful to the environment than traditional cells. They are manufactured in a single process, in one device, limiting the use of dangerous chemical compounds required for their production.
Potential for Price Competitiveness
This could lead to lower costs. “There is great potential here in terms of achieving price competitiveness. This is primarily due to lower material consumption, lower process temperature, which reduces energy consumption. And, importantly, we could fully produce these cells in Poland or Europe, which would certainly affect the stability of supply chains,” concludes Dr. Szindler.
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