Substitution of Niche-Market PV Production Tools with Cost-Effective Consumer-Electronics
- $420k Funded by ARENA
- $1.62m Total project cost
Summary
This project aims to reduce the cost of solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing by using low-cost consumer electronics as drop-in replacements to optimise conventional production line tools.
Need
The solar PV industry has dramatically matured over the last decade and continues to show strong growth. However, the time-critical race to reduce emissions demands improvement in the cost-effectiveness and consequential uptake of sustainable energy production. A promising approach to improve cost efficiencies is to develop equipment for production lines that can increase their capability while reducing running costs. If tools can be developed that provide low upfront costs as well as low operating costs, then they will be economically viable for existing production lines and will maximise savings for new facilities.
Learn more
Report: Substitution of Niche-Market PV Production Tools with Cost-Effective Consumer-Electronics
This is the final Lessons Learnt Report for the project and includes advice on the achievement of project outcomes, key highlights and challenges.
Report: Substitution of Niche-Market PV Production Tools with Cost-Effective Technology
This report provides an overview of the project’s progress along with details of the key highlights and lessons learnt to date.
Media Release: Research Boost for Solar Panel Efficiency and Cost Reduction
ARENA announced it has awarded funding to 16 research projects to help address solar PV panel efficiency, overall cost reductions and end-of-life issues.
Action
This project aims to improve the cost efficiency of solar PV by reducing the cost and increasing the capability of select tools used in solar cell manufacturing. This will be achieved by developing and applying production line equipment based on low-cost consumer-electronics technology. These new tools will ideally act as drop-in replacements for conventional technology.
The project will focus on three forms of consumer-electronics technology:
- microwave heating to replace conventional thermal processes
- flat-bed scanner technology for texture monitoring
- thermal imaging technology for defect detection.
These technologies will be developed and optimised, targeting cost reductions and capability improvements.
Outcome
The project will increase knowledge and understanding of the technical capabilities and cost reduction opportunities for the three technologies mentioned above. These technologies will be developed to replace conventional high-cost and energy-intensive equipment currently used to manufacture solar PV.
New prototype tool designs will be tested in a pre-commercial production line (pilot line) environment. The resulting test data will be used to present a case for full commercialisation and broad uptake of the technology. Such uptake has the potential to significantly lower the cost of solar PV manufacturing and improve product reliability through advanced monitoring.
ARENAWIRE Blogs
Solar research funding awarded to 16 new projects
New funding will help solar researchers to develop panels that are more cost-effective and efficient.
