CPV technology offers high efficiency conversion of sunlight to energy, producing more watts per solar panel than conventional PV technology and maximising energy production per hectare of occupied ground. CPV costs are expected to achieve parity with other conventional and solar sources in the near future and, and unlike silicon solar cells, CPV maintains its efficiency at high ambient temperatures.
Solar cells made from III-V materials have the best performance and are therefore the material of choice for space applications. Compared to lower-efficiency materials, however, the costs can prove prohibitively high. Radboud University has developed a unique technology to lower costs by removing a complete solar cell from the expensive III-V substrate using a process called epitaxial lift-off. The substrate can be reused, while the thin-film solar cell is fully functional. The lower cost will, the university claim, open up the superior performance of III-V solar cells to wider applications.
“We’re delighted to be launching tf2 devices with Radboud University Nijmegen. We have been collaborating with the team there for almost two years, and have already developed an excellent relationship,” said Dr Robin Godfrey, CEO of Circadian Solar. “This joint venture represents a hugely exciting opportunity for us both to bring this groundbreaking technology to the market and work even more closely with the team at Radboud University Nijmegen in making tf2 devices successful. The group of Dr. John Schermer has been pioneering the field of III-V thin film technology and holds the world record for single junction GaAs photovoltaic thin film cell efficiency”.
Professor Elias Vlieg of Radboud University Nijmegen was also thrilled about the collaboration, which he believes “has the potential to transform III-V photovoltaic technology” and “is well-positioned to play a significant role in helping the world to meet its growing energy needs”.
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