The purpose is to achieve an energy pay-back time of less than one year for a complete grid-connected installation with polymer solar cells. The project comprises development of polymer solar modules and design of a setup for grid-connected installations with these modules. The methodologies used are real-life testing and life-cycle analysis.
Project description
The purpose is to achieve an energy pay-back time of less than one year for a complete grid-connected installation with polymer solar cells. The project comprises development of polymer solar modules and design of a setup for grid-connected installations with these modules. The methodologies used are real-life testing and life-cycle analysis.
Results
The project aims to demonstrate an energy payback time (EPBT) < 1 year for a grid-connected installation with polymer solar cells. For this purpose we have built a solar park covering 1000 m2 and comprising durable wooden scaffolds, replaceable polymer solar cell foils, and systems for fast installation and de-installation of the foil. The key enabling factor is the solar foil rolls holding several ten thousands of serially connected solar cells exiting our roll-to-roll manufacturing in a condition ready for installation. The interconnecting scheme provides lean two-point contacting but also high voltages once rolled out. We have named this concept INFINITY. INFINITY has allowed us to demonstrate installation at 0.25 kWpeak/min. and 3000 hours operation with only the degradation anticipated from the bird-dropping effect. The operation confirms INFINITY’s high robustness towards shadowing predicted by our models. EPBT for the installation is ~ 16 month and 10 ½ months if operated in Southern Europe, both based on an operational life for the foil of 1 year. With a more realistic but still conservative estimate for the foil’s durability of 2 years, EPBT is reduced to 12 month (Denmark) and 8 ½ months (Southern Europe).

Key figures

Period:
2012 - 2014
Funding year:
2012
Own financial contribution:
0.00 mio. DKK
Grant:
2.25 mio. DKK
Funding rate:
100 %
Project budget:
2.25 mio. DKK

Category

Programme
ForskEL
Technology
Solar
Case no.
10728

Participants

Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU) (Main Responsible)
Partners and economy
Partner Subsidy Auto financing
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU) 2,25 mio. DKK

Contact

Kontakperson
Frederik C. Krebs
Comtact information
Technical University of Denmark, Risø DTU
Frederiksborgvej 399
Roskilde
+45 46 77 47 99

 
Contact email
frkr@dtu.dk

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