DISC consortium

DISC consortium consists of 13 partners from seven different countries (Germany, France, Switzeland, UK, Slovenia, Netherlands and Hungary) split in three categories:

The coordinator is Institut für Solarenergieforschung GmbH (ISFH), Germany - Dr. Byungsul Min

The research insititutes work mainly on cell level to improve carrier selective junctions (CSJ), transparent conductive oxides (TCO) and mettalization characteristics. Each institute will work on different approaches (specific methods, materials, processes). PV equipment providers (MECO, von Ardenne) provide knowledge and existing processes/tools for the TCO and Metallization areas.

Meyer Burger and Ecosolifer, together with the research insitutes leads works on cell and module prototype. UL provides input on module optics.

TOTAL is in charge of the technico-economical assessment, while ERM is handling the sustainability and life cycle assessment.

ISFH and other institutes provide modeling and characterization analysis which helps having a better understanding of the new cells and modules.

ISFH is project coordinator and is supported by AYMING on the current management tasks. UL is in charge of the communication and dissemination tasks, with AYMING support.

Institut fur Solarenergieforschung GMBH (ISFH)

Country:
Germany
Key staff:
Prof. Dr. Robby Peibst, Dr. Byungsul Min, Dr. Stefan Bordihn
Work packages:
WP1, WP2, WP3, WP4, WP6, WP7, WP8

ISFH conducts applied research and development in photovoltaics and solar thermal energy conversion. The department of photovoltaics at ISFH is one of the leading research institutions for applied solar cell and module development. In photovoltaics, ISFH covers the areas silicon wafer material characterization, surface passivation, industrial and next generation solar cell development, advanced solar cell characterization, solar module development, characterization and long-term stability testing by accelerated aging tests.

Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)

Country:
Switzerland
Key staff:
Prof. Dr. Christophe Ballif, Dr. Philipp Löper, Dr. Stefaan De Wolf
Work packages:
WP1, WP2, WP4, WP6, WP7

The Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory (PVLAB) of Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Neuchâtel, Switzerland has pioneered several new thin-film silicon (Si) processes, such as the introduction of very-high frequency plasma deposition of microcrystalline Si as an efficient photovoltaic material. Current activities of the laboratory cover a broad spectrum, ranging from fundamental research to industrial technology transfer. EPFL-PVLAB has extensive experience and full novel processing facilities for the fabrication of high quality amorphous and microcrystalline layers for thin-film Si solar cells and Si wafer solar cells, and has solid experience in light-trapping for thin film solar cells with a wide range of TCOs.

Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (INES)

Country:
France
Key staff:
Dr. Delfina Muñoz, Dr. Thibaut Desrues, Dr. Stefaan De Wolf
Work packages:
WP1, WP2, WP3, WP4, WP5, WP6, WP7

INES is the French National Institute for Solar Energy newly created in 2006 close to Chambery. It covers the whole value chain of PV technology, from silicon purification to PV modules. The department for Solar PV technologies is dedicated to all the technologies involved in photovoltaic silicon. From material (process development of Solar grade silicon by purification of metallurgical grade silicon), cells (Silicon solar cells), to modules (development of new processes for module manufacturing).

Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung EV (FH-ISE)

Country:
Germany
Key staff:
Dr. Martin Hermle, Dr. Jonas Bartsch
Work packages:
WP1, WP2, WP3, WP4, WP6, WP7

Fraunhofer ISE is europes largest institute dedicated to solar energy systems research with currently ~1200 employees. The institute is certified according to ISO 9001. Fraunhofer ISE has a high level of experience in the development of novel, highly efficient solar cell structures and currently holds the efficiency world record for crystalline silicon solar cells among research institutes with the TOPCon technology, enabling a 25.1% efficiency due to a passivated contact scheme.

Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique SA (CSEM)

Country:
Switzerland
Key staff:
Dr. Matthieu Despeisse, Christophe Allebé
Work packages:
WP1, WP2, WP3, WP4, WP6, WP7

CSEM SA, Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique (Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology), founded in 1984, is a private non-profit applied research and development center specializing in micro- and nanotechnology, systems engineering, photovoltaics, microelectronics, and communications technologies. It offers its customers and industry partners custom-made, innovative solutions based on its knowledge of the market and the technological expertise derived from applied research.

Meyer Burger AG (Meyer&Burger)

Country:
Switzerland
Key staff:
Thomas Weber, Dr. Gilbert Schiltges, Dr. Thomas Söderström
Work packages:
WP3, WP4, WP5, WP6, WP7

Meyer Burger AG is a company of 400 people working in Thun (Switzerland) and specialises in photovoltaics. It develops, produces and sells worldwide innovative production plant for the manufacture of wafer and solar modules. The strategy of the Group focuses on high quality, reliable technology combined with ultra high efficiency in order to achieved the minimal LCOE figures.

Total Marketing Services (Total)

Country:
France
Key staff:
Dr. Julien Penaud, Dr. Nils Harder, Bruno Delahaye
Work packages:
WP1, WP4, WP5, WP7

TOTAL is one of the largest energy companies in the world, with over 96,000 employees, and a branch, TOTAL New Energies, dedicated entirely to the commercial development of alternative energies (Solar PV, advanced biofuels, carbon capture and storage). TOTAL has been involved in photovoltaics since 1983, and is driven by the ambition to become the global leader in the solar industry. TOTAL New Energies pursues differentiation through technology as the first step towards building competitive integrated industrial operations in photovoltaic energy. In line with this strategy, the company makes important investments in technology research.

Univerza v Ljubljani (UL)

Country:
Slovenia
Key staff:
Prof. Dr. Marko Topič, Dr. Andrej Čampa
Work packages:
WP3, WP5, WP6, WP7

The University of Ljubljana is the largest and the oldest university in Slovenia. The University has been both a participant in and coordinator of a number of projects within the EC’s Framework Programmes for research, technological development and dissemination. The Laboratory of Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics (LPVO) at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FE) of University of Ljubljana is the central research group for photovoltaics and optoelectronics in Slovenia with the research emphasis on optical and electrical modelling and simulation, light management strategies, optical and electrical characterization of PV devices including spatially resolved methods (EL, LBIC) and outdoor monitoring.

VON ARDENNE GmbH (von Ardenne)

Country:
Germany
Key staff:
Dr. Martin Dimer
Work packages:
WP1, WP2, WP3, WP5, WP7

VON ARDENNE develops and manufactures industrial equipment for vacuum coatings on materials such as glass, wafers, metal strip and polymer films. It was founded in 1991 as a spin-off of the Manfred von Ardenne Research Institute in Dresden. The technological principles and components which are vital to our current success had been developed and steadily improved by this institute since 1955. Over 50 years of experience with electron beam processes and more than 40 years of competence in magnetron technology make VON ARDENNE the leading provider of glass coating systems and equipment for thin-film photovoltaics.

Meco Equipment Engineers BV (MECO)

Country:
Netherlands
Key staff:
Jurgen Bertens, Gus van de Ven, Marc Kivits
Work packages:
WP3, WP4, WP7

Meco Equipment Engineers, a Besi company, produces plating systems for a wide variety of markets ranging from solar cells, semiconductor leadframes, to smart cards and connectors. All products are designed in the The Netherlands including software development. Process R&D is carried out at the Meco facility as well as at selected partner sites, which are leading R&D institutes that are working with Meco equipment such as imec (Belgium), ITRI (Taiwan), and Seris (Singapore).

EcoSolifer Modulgyártó Kft. (Ecosolifer)

Country:
Hungary
Key staff:
Zsolt Vadadi, Dr. Riku Lovics, Dr. Ágoston Németh
Work packages:
WP3, WP4, WP5, WP7

EcoSolifer Modulgyártó Kft. HJT cell and module manufacturing company based in Western Hungary. Starting up 90MWp Meyer Burger HJT cell manufacturing in middle 2016 and SWCT module manufacturing afterwards. The company participating in sample preparation, industrialisation concerns evaluation and cost analysis.

AYMING (AYMING)

Country:
France
Key staff:
Etienne Macron, Julie Chupin
Work packages:
WP7, WP8

AYMING is a French consulting company specialized in providing support to decision making and tools in order to increase the economic performances of its customers covering the following areas: human resources, tax incentives, public subventions for R&D and innovation, purchasing and outsourcing, copyrights claims. The team has been involved in R&D support activity since FP 5 and has collaborated in about 50 Horizon2020 projects.

Environmental Ressources Management Limited (ERM)

Country:
United Kingdom
Key staff:
Simon Aumônier, Charles Allison
Work packages:
WP5, WP7

Environmental Resources Management (ERM) is a leading global provider of environmental, health, safety, risk, social consulting services and sustainability related services. ERM is one of the leading practitioners of life cycle management techniques worldwide, with an enviable reputation both in methodological development and in the application of life cycle methods in influential assignments in many sectors including several European Commission and Horizon 2020 projects.