Pero-Si-Lab

Together with “Pero-Si-SCALE,”  “Pero-Si-Lab” forms the central component of the Center for High-Efficiency Solar Cells in the field of perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell research at Fraunhofer ISE.

At the “Pero-Si-Lab,” we offer services in the fabrication, analysis, and development of perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells on silicon and glass substrates up to an area of 156x156 mm² (M2 wafers). These services may include process support, targeted development, analysis, consulting, training, and expert opinions. The provision of a reproducible base process enables the targeted  development of the technology as well as the evaluation of alternative processes and materials.

We utilize a high-purity process environment in gloveboxes – ensuring the highest quality while maintaining great flexibility.

Our customers include companies in the fields of plant engineering and material supply, as well as startups and established solar cell manufacturers. Thanks to our close ties to “Pero-Si-SCALE” and “PV-TEC”, our developments focus on industrial feasibility from the very beginning.

Our Services in the "Pero-Si Lab" Include:

• Development of Innovative Processes and Materials for Highly Efficient Tandem Solar Cells
• Analysis and Evaluation of Materials and Processes
• Evaluation of Processes and Materials for long-term Stability

For the development and fabrication of novel processes and materials, we have several gloveboxes and process systems for the deposition of organic and inorganic materials at our disposal. In addition to several spin-coating stations, the laboratory is equipped with three evaporation chambers for organic and inorganic material systems as well as metals, an atomic layer deposition (ALD) system, and specialized gloveboxes for the preparation of solutions under an inert atmosphere. The gloveboxes, some of which are interconnected via inert gas lines, enable the high-purity and reproducible deposition of all relevant layers and materials on silicon and glass substrates up to a size of 156x156 mm² (M2 wafers).

In addition, electron microscopes, atomic force microscopes (AFM), Raman spectrometers, and X-ray diffractometers are available for structural analysis. We are equipped with a comprehensive suite of analytical tools for the electrical characterization of cells and layers.

Our reproducible, highly efficient core process for tandem solar cells with efficiencies exceeding 30% enables us to specifically compare and evaluate individual materials and layers against a reference process. This allows us, for example, to verify the purity requirements for various starting materials and to test and evaluate novel contact materials and passivation layers.

For manufacturers of materials or process equipment, we offer independent assessments of material and process quality as early as the initial development phases. We also support startups at an early stage by making our equipment and our process and material expertise available, enabling a rapid evaluation of their technological ideas.

Alongside cost-effective manufacturing, the long-term stability of perovskite solar cells is the key to industrialization. In our labs,the focus is therefore on analyzing and improving long-term stability. Through the targeted fabrication and characterization of cells and specialized test samples, we investigate aging mechanisms and optimize stability. Using dedicated degradation test benches, where cells are illuminated and temperature-controlled, we measure the intrinsic material stability. Together with our colleagues from the PV module production lab “Module-TEC”, we manufacture encapsulated mini-modules and measure them over extended periods both indoors and outdoors to systematically identify and address failure mechanisms.