New test method for solar cells into production

These years, many universities and companies are working to create efficient and cheap polymer solar cells, so-called third generation solar cells. This means a shift from few handmade laboratory cells to very large series, produced by machine. It requires lots of tests. However, existing test methods are slow and cumbersome. Therefore, scientists from the Solar Energy Programme at Risø DTU have now developed a faster and better test method.

"For a long time, we have been having problems with the slow test phases in our own production of polymer solar cells. So Frederik C. Krebs, Professor, decided to develop a comprehensive test solution that was faster. He finally found a method that was much faster but also easier to use," explains Torben Damgaard Nielsen, Innovation and Business Developer at Riso DTU, Denmark.

Because of these promising results, Riso DTU has entered into cooperation with the Zealandic company 'LS Control' who is to develop the prototype into a commercial product.

"Risø DTU has given us the task of developing a 0-series. In practice, this means that we use the prototype to develop solutions, making the prototype ready for production. At this point, we are obviously keen to enter the scene as producer, but it is up to Risø DTU, "says Per Nielsen, Manager of LS Control.

Cooperation between LS Control and Riso DTU began when LS Control took part in one of Riso's business networks, the so-called 3x8 network, financed by funds from Region Zealand. Risø scientists and interested businesses met in the network to discuss various issues, in this case the possibilities of becoming a supplier to the research into green technologies. Risø DTU has a special interest in developing the test platform into a product.

"There is the economic aspect of selling the test platform which is interesting, because even as part of a research programme, you still need to provide commercial revenues. Another issue to be addressed is whether we can make our mark with a licensed product both in relation to research and commercially when it comes to the development of third generation polymer solar cells." says Torben Damgaard Nielsen.

Risø DTU is dedicated to business development within the research environment which allows business developers and scientists to commercialise great ideas together.