- ZSW has joined hands with First Solar of the US to explore thin-film technologies
- They aim to research and develop thin-film modules on GW-scale under the strategic partnership
- Both partners will also explore opportunities to make such modules more efficient
American cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar module manufacturer First Solar and German solar and hydrogen research institute Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) have announced a strategic partnership.
The duo plans to research and develop all thin-film tandem technologies on a GW scale. Their focus will be on improving the performance of thin-film PV while developing and optimizing these technologies on a GW scale.
ZSW has been conducting research on copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film technology and also exploring perovskite photovoltaics since the last decade. For perovskites, its focus has been on scaling robust processes on both rigid and flexible substrates.
ZSW explained, “Other potential areas of research include the optical adaption of the stacked cells and the specialized characterization techniques. The overall goal of this research partnership is to explore opportunities to make thin film modules more efficient by a better use of the solar spectrum.”
In May 2023, First Solar expanded into the next-generation tandem devices field with the acquisition of Swedish perovskite company Evolar. Its acquisition brought to its fold Evolar’s R&D facility in Sweden, where the latter has been developing manufacturing equipment to commercialize tandem solar technology (see US Solar Panel Maker Expands To Europe For Next Gen Tech).
First Solar and SunPower had also announced plans to explore tandem solar modules for the latter’s rooftop solar business, using the former’s thin-film silicon-free PV technology and crystalline silicon on top and bottom, respectively (see SunPower & First Solar To Collaborate Again).
