The European photovoltaic solar energy conference and exhibition (EU PVSEC 2017) is the largest international conference for photovoltaic research, technologies and applications, and at the same time a top international photovoltaic industry exhibition.

ITER participated with three articles on the latest results of its research in the field of solar photovoltaic energy at this prestigious scientific event, the EU PVSEC “European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition”, which took place from 25 to 29 September 2017 at the RAI Convention Center in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The research group of ITER’s photovoltaic cell laboratory presented the following articles:

  • Title: “Conductive inks with epoxy resin based vehicles for perovskite screen printing metallization as a viable and low-cost alternative to thermal evaporation” (Código: 3DV.2.56). Authors: Institute of Technology and Renewable Energies (ITER) and the Physics Department of the University of La Laguna (ULL). In this work, new advances in the research conducted by the solar cells laboratory (SiCellLab) from ITER in order to develop inks for screen printing metallization, based on the use of epoxy resin and anhydrous solvent vehicles are presented. This approach has been designed to be applied on thin film perovskite substrates.
  • Title: “A one-step deposition method assisted with non polar washing solvent treatment for producing uniform thin layers of perovskite validated through ellipsometry” (Código: 3DV.2.71). Authors: Industrial Engineering Department and Physics Department of the University of La Laguna (ULL), and Institute of Technology and Renewable Energies (ITER). The present work summarizes the methodology developed by the laboratory of solar cells (SiCellLab), from ITER which has been validated by the use of spectral ellipsometry characterization, in order to evaluate the optical properties and the thickness of thin films of methylammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PBI3), deposited from solutions of their chemical precursors, via spin coating over glass substrates by the one-step method, assisted with non-polar washing solvent treatment. The application of this methodology has led to produce samples with a high degree of uniformity and repetitiveness.
  • Title: “A multifunctional low-cost scalable field monitoring system” (Código: 6BV.3.21). Authors: Industrial Engineering Department, Physics Department, Chemistry Department and Institute of Materials Science of the Universidad of La Laguna (ULL). In this work, a new outdoor characterization system for photovoltaic solar modules is presented. The new low cost system has been designed to acquire the electrical parameters inside of each module through Modbus. Each module is connected to a supervisory system that collects and store the data. The supervisory system allows real-time control of the whole system. This characterization system has been fully designed, built and installed by ITER in collaboration with the University of La Laguna.

The submitted articles will be published on the DVD of the International Conference, which is delivered to the participants therein, as well as being available for sale to those interested. Likewise, this information is also available in the on-line catalog on scientific communications of the Conference: http://www.eupvsec-proceedings.com/

The EU PVSEC is the biggest European Convention dedicated to the research, new technologies and photovoltaic applications, which has been held since 1977. Here, the photovoltaic community meets to present and discuss the latest advances and innovations in photovoltaic energy. The conference programme is coordinated by the European Commission Joint Research Centre.