Photovoltaics

The front of conventional solar cells requires a high transparency, high conductivity, durable electrode.  In various forms, SANTE™ Films are great candidates for use in the breadth of the photovoltaic space, from single or poly crystalline silicon substrate based solar cells, all the way to organic photovoltaic cells.

In each segment of the broader space, different strengths of the SANTE™ Coating process and structure will be of use to the application.  

For instance, in cSi solar cells, the small line width and small pore size of the SANTE^TM Mesh allow for the production of what would be a “narrow” finger and bus bar design.  Further, the tall/narrow nature of the silver network improves conductor aspect ratio over conventional screen printing, allowing for more efficient use of precious top surface illuminated area, and thus higher overall cell power conversion efficiency.  Finally, the wet, additive, non-contact deposition technique for SANTE™ Films allows for manufacturers to reduce wafer breakage owing to screen printing forces and continue to thin substrates as necessary for overall system cost.

In next generation aSi and multijunction cells looking to harness light through even the near infrared portions of the solar spectrum, the improved transmission of the SANTE™ Network in the IR regime can be important.

Further, in organic photovoltaics, two other attributes are worth noting.  The roll-to-roll compatible process adapts well to manufacturing requirements, and the very low resistance of the SANTE™ Film network relative to ITO equivalents reduces lost electrical power in the front electrode itself.