1 January 2010 saw the start of HIFLEX, a three-year European research project that will be carried out by two companies and five knowledge institutes. The participants will be working on the joint development of technology for flexible modules of organic solar cells (Organic Photovoltaics = OPV). ECN will coordinate HIFLEX, which will be part of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) programme.
HIFLEX aims to match the development of OPV technology with the specific requirements of mobile and remote ICT applications. This could include the conversion efficiency of different light intensities, for example, or adequate durability for practical use, acceptable cost structure, a good capacity/weight ratio, and sufficient mechanical flexibility for the intended application.
ECN to coordinate European consortium of industry and knowledge institutes
OPV is recognised as an important emerging photovoltaic technology, which in the future will very probably enable the production of extremely inexpensive solar cells. The low cost is due to the extremely fast manufacturing process and low-cost materials. In addition, OPV enables new applications by combining mechanical flexibility and low weight with photovoltaic electricity generation.
Compatibility with existing printing and coating techniques
Using an application-oriented approach, HIFLEX will develop scalable, reproducible and commercially attractive printing and coating techniques, enabling the industry to produce highly flexible lightweight OPV products, which no longer require the expensive indium tin oxide (ITO). At the same time, it guarantees technological compatibility with other printed electronic ICT components and systems.
The two industrial partners are Dr Schenk GmbH, an SME with distinctive expertise in the field of ‘in-line’ process and quality control of R2R production processes, and Agfa-Gevaert, which has commercial experience with the photographic development of printed electrically conductive silver grid lines, with polymer antistatic and conductive coatings, and with the development of innovative coating solutions for large-scale production processes. The five knowledge institutes are Energieonderzoek Centrum Nederland (ECN), Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme (ISE), Risø Nationallaboratoriet for Bæredygtig Energi (Risø DTU), TNO/Holst Centre and UK Materials Technology Research Institute (MaTRI).
Contact
Jan Kroon
ECN Solar energy
Phone: +31 (0)22 456 4413
E-mail: Jan Kroon
Info
Click on CORDIS ICT programme project database, and enter HIFLEX as search term.
Example of a modern OPV: Power Plastic by Konarka is a 3rd generation material for organic solar cells.
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