So far the prototypes of the Meso Superstructured Solar Cells (MSSC) have achieved an efficiency level of 10.9% using a simple manufacturing process and inexpensive and abundant raw materials. The technology could be incorporated into the facades of glass building and has been licensed by Isis Innovation, a technology transfer company within Oxford University, to Oxford Photovoltaics.
“This new class of solar cells will deliver a massively scaleable product firstly for the building integrated PVs market and, as energy conversion performance improves further, for other high volume PV applications” said Kevin Arthur, CEO of Oxford Photovoltaics. “Ultimately we envisage this technology competing directly with grid delivered electricity.”
The technology derives from a combination of specifically formulated ceramics with thin films. The MSSC can be printed directly onto glass and processed at below 150°C giving a semi-transparent but robust layer. The MSSC’s have been proven to suffer from few losses and provide a photovoltage of 1.1V. The research team ultimately hopes to optimise the devices to achieve an efficiency level of over 20% which they claim will outperform any other product on the market.
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