At the 18-month mark, the Platform-ZERO project coordinated by IREC, has demonstrated significant progress in achieving zero defect manufacturing for the photovoltaic industry through the development and implementation of innovative strategies.
Co-funded with more than ten million euros from the European Commission, Platform-ZERO aims to improve the production quality of photovoltaic (PV) devices, while reducing the fabrication costs, through zero defect manufacturing. To achieve this, IREC along with 11 partners, are applying an in-line process monitoring, control and Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategies in four different pilot plants in Europe.
Within the first 18 months, the project has accomplished a thorough analysis and understanding of what the photovoltaic industry needs for the real time production monitoring of the manufacturing of zero-defects photovoltaic devices, an essential step to creating a tailored solution for the PV sector. Moreover, the consortium has designed and configured advanced sensor stations that can be integrated into production lines, which have proven enhanced real-time defect detection capabilities.
To make sure the solution can be integrated in various industrial settings, prototype sensors that are highly customizable have been designed and tested. Their implementation will facilitate comprehensive process monitoring and quality control. Furthermore, the architecture of the AI system has been carefully designed to support intelligent monitoring and control, along with advanced algorithms ensuring precise and timely data management.
To validate these innovations, Platform-ZERO’s approach is being tested in four pilot plants in Spain, Germany, Austria, and Poland, focusing on smart coatings, high-efficiency solar modules, and flexible solar foils.
“We are proud to witness the significant progress made in the first 18 months of the Platform-ZERO project. Our collaborative efforts are paving the way towards zero defect manufacturing in the photovoltaic industry, enhancing the quality and reducing the costs of next-generation PV devices” stated Dr. Victor Izquierdo, scientific researcher at IREC and coordinator of the Platform-ZERO project.
The project’s focus on third generation PV technologies, such as CIGS and perovskites, promises higher efficiency, lower costs, and additional functionalities compared to standard silicon-based PV. These materials are well-suited for automated manufacturing and Industry 4.0 approaches, driving Europe towards climate-neutral energy generation.
This innovation project aims to bolster the competitiveness of the EU’s PV industry and support the transition to sustainable energy sources, contributing significantly to Europe’s climate goals.
A multidisciplinary team formed by experts from both academia and industry
The project has a total budget above 10M€ and will run for 4 years. The consortium is formed by 12 European partners and is coordinated by Victor Izquierdo, from the Solar Energy Materials and Systems group at IREC (Catalonia Institute for Energy Research). This includes four research centers and one university with a strong knowledge in the development of spectroscopic methodologies (IREC, HZB), imaging (AIT), device optoelectronic assessment (UPO), AI analysis (AIT, IREC, RISC) and data management (RISC). Additionally, the consortium includes two research centers with strong know-how in advanced PV technologies and with industrial pilot lines facilities to validate concepts (two demo-sites) based on high efficiency CIGS devices (ZSW) and smart nano-based surface processes and coatings (Lurederra). Finally, the consortium is complemented by a metrology SMEs with strong knowhow in the implementation of industrial process monitoring applications (LENZ) and by two third-generation PV manufacturing SMEs (SUNPLUGGED and SAULE), both providing their production lines for demonstrating the Platform-ZERO technology (two demo-sites). Additionally, two other SME partners, R2M Solution France and R2M Solution SRL Italy, are in charge of dissemination, exploitation and communication actions.
The press release can be downloaded here:
Project factsheet on the EC Cordis database: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101058459
Project Partners
Acknowledgments
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
