Printed Solar Cells
The core technology of EnergyFoils is printed solar cells that belong to the group of third generation solar cell technologies. They can be employed for energy production on a small-scale in niche applications or on a large scale for installations such as building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). Solar modules from EnergyFoils do not include toxic or scarce elements and offer a sustainable alternative to traditional solar energy harvesting technologies. Solar modules from EnergyFoils offer unique characteristics such as flexibility, semi-transparency, freeform design, and a variety of colors. The solar modules are entirely prepared on plastic foil using ambient roll-to-roll (R2R) printing and slot-die coating methods.
Manufacture
The R2R process offers many advantages including high throughput, using slot-die coating technology, high yield, scalability and freedom of design. The manufacturing facilities are custom designed and ensure a robust production in ambient conditions. Production is based on solution processing of all the layers at low temperatures at ambient conditions and the process is therefore highly energy efficient and ensures a short energy payback time compared to most of the existing inorganic solar cell technologies.
Design Freedom
Striking solar cell designs, semi-transparency and colors are not typically words associated with solar cells. But with printed solar cells endless opportunities are possible through its freedom of design and color selection.
EnergyFoils solar cells deliver solar energy and design freedom to architects, window manufacturers, and others in the building and construction fields. They come as both opaque and semi-transparent solar panels that can be molded to curves and contours of bold architectural designs. This alleviates limitations of rigid silicon solar panels and allows installations on any existing structure due to the low weight of the panels.
Printed Solar Cells
Printed solar cells are a third-generation photovoltaic technology using materials to harvest energy from light, outdoor as well as indoor. The solar cells are comprised of several layers including a photo-active layer and two electrode layers. These layers are printed using roll-to-roll manufacturing, similar to the way newspapers are printed, with thicknesses on the nanometer scale. These layers are typically printed or slot-die coated on a thin plastic substrate followed by lamination with a protective and flexible foil.
Enviroment
Solar energy is a major energy source that has the potential to enable a sustainable fossil-free society. With approximately 1000 watts per square meter at sea level on a clear day the sun is an immense energy source which solar cells can tap directly into. Organic solar cells are uniquely environmentally friendly because of the low embedded energy in the solar foil. Low process temperatures, organic materials, and cost effective material use allows a lower energy pay-back time than any other solar cell technology.