Penn focuses on developing solar cell printing technology

Recently, Plextronics of the United States has received a US$1 million grant from the Pennsylvania State Energy Development Agency (PEDA) to continue the development of semiconductor printing technology for solar cells. The funding will help Plextronics develop a technology that will reduce the cost of solar cells, with a view to making solar cells an alternative energy source, thus achieving this challenging goal in Pennsylvania.

Jennifer Honig, executive director of Plextronics, said that semiconductor technology, called Plexcore PV, can be used for energy replenishment of flexible displays, flexo packages, and solar jackets.

Plextronics said that they will use the funds to continue to develop Plexcore technology and, most importantly, further increase efficiency.

"In terms of the value of commercial applications, efficiency should be 6 to 7% or even higher, and we have only reached 3 to 4% now," explains Tim O'Brien, director of business development at Plextronics.

Plextronics will also focus on developing the printing process in this technology. According to Honig, Plextronics has its own inkjet printers, and now they are developing their own inks for printing solar cells currently undergoing in-house testing.

O'Brien revealed that the funds will also be used to test new semiconductor polymer equipment development and recruit more talent for the company. Plexcore PV is flexible and lightweight, capable of printing plastics or textiles.

Plextronics claims that printed solar cells are cheaper. But Honig pointed out that due to the different processing capabilities, solar cells cannot replace silicon.

In order to promote the application of Plexcore technology, Plextronics is working with two major international companies, but it is not yet possible to disclose further details.

Source of information: pack.cn