Thin film solar cells are considered the next generation of solar cells and are expected to be considerably cheaper because they need much less material and energy in their production than present photovoltaic modules.
Furthermore, the scientists of the University of Luxembourg produced another solar cell based on a new cheaper material, which does not contain the costly indium, and made by a low cost galvanic process.
The laboratory for photovoltaics of the University of Luxembourg is a group of researchers developing new materials and processes for solar cells. Of all the available thin film technologies, solar cells based on CIGS have shown the more efficiencies in research and in production. Professor Susanne Siebentritt, head of the laboratory, explains: “Currently we can produce the heart of the solar cells, the so called absorber layer and the buffer. But for completing the solar cells we rely on the help of our colleagues from Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin”. The luxembourgish laboratory focuses not only on the development of solar cells but also on furthering the physical understanding of the materials and interfaces involved in these solar cells.
The laboratory for photovoltaics was founded in April 2007 within the framework of the TDK Europe professorship, a public-private partnership funded by TDK corporation and the University of Luxembourg. “We have just a few months ago moved into our new labs. This allows us finally to start the solar cell preparation. These are really our first solar cells and they have already reached competitive efficiencies”, Professor Siebentritt says, “I am very proud of my team”.
