Pilatus Horizon Europe project
© 2023 EPFL
EPFL is proud to be part of the Pilatus Horizon Europe project about developing and demonstrating the production of high-efficiency silicon Heterojunction (SHJ) tunnel-Interdigitated Back Contact (tunnel-IBC) solar cells and modules.
PILATUS is a 3-year European project aiming at demonstrating three digitalised pilot lines for the production of silicon wafers, solar cells, and solar modules. PILATUS will contribute to re-build a “Made in Europe”, leading-edge, and competitive PV industry with the entire value chain retained in Europe and compliant with the latest environmental standards.
The project will demonstrate the outcome at the pilot line using the ‘best in class’ / State-of-the-Art solution, but – at the same time – will work in parallel on specific technological aspects, which still have significant room for improvement.
Main objectives
Demonstrate the high-volume production of Silicon Heterojunction (SHJ) tunnel-interdigitated Back Contact (tunnel-IBC) PV
Validate and pre-certify the performance of PV cell and module
Eco-design of tunnel-IBC PV modules and manufacturing lines
Demonstrate favorable cost/Wp of the SHJ-IBC modules
SHJ-tunnel-IBC technology has clear advantages over other IBC technologies. PV with 25.5% cell efficiencies will be achieved with just 10 process steps, resulting in competitive pricing in the premium PV product category.