Jul 5 2010
Researchers from Reso DTU and developers from Mekoprint have joined together to make the mass production of solar cells a reality by rolling out of first solar cells from their new production line on 22 June 2010.
Polymer solar cells are produced from a roll of flexible solar foil. The solar cell is built one layer at a time on the foil by printing and then it is rolled up again onto the coil. As per customer specifications, encapsulated and ready-to-use units are cut from the roll.
The whole roll to roll process , is undertaken on the new production line designed by Reso DTU and Mekoprint. Hence, there is mass production of solar cells at lower cost. Reso DTU has provided the printing technology. The whole package consists of a custom made printing head as well as inks for the different layers of the solar cells. They have also trained the operators need to operate the production line. The whole package comprises of inks for the different layers of the solar cells, a printing head that is custom-made to suit the process and operator training material for easy production line operation.
In collaboration with Reso, the staff at Mekoprint has rebuilt their former production line to specifications required for the new production line, leading to the production of solar cells from the scientific lab scale to full-fledged industrial practice.
The Riso team, with its focused research and development, is reducing the gap between the 50 year old silicon technology and polymer solar cells. Mekoprint with its high volume polymer solar cell technology is strengthening Denmark’s place as an international market leader in polymer solar cell technology.
These plastic solar cells, mass-produced by Mekoprint with scientific knowhow from Reso, are enabling the use of solar cells in many innovative technologies. The solar cell is being used in wireless sensors, communication devices and appropriate consumer electronic products to replace conventional batteries.
Source: http://www.risoe.dtu.dk