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
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 DTUFrederiksborgvej 399
Roskilde
+45 46 77 47 99
Contact email
frkr@dtu.dk