European organic photovoltaics (OPV) developer Heliatek is readying itself for an aggressive push to commercialise its cells in early 2012.
The start-up, in Dresden, Germany, has an exclusive agreement with thin-film technology and equipment and plant specialist FHR Anlagenbau.
FHR will install a roll-to-roll production line for processing OPVs on foils at Heliatek's new plant in Dresden.
The line should be set up by mid-2011. Heliatek will produce flexible OPVs on 200-300mm foil substrates.
In July the start-up hired Thomas Körner as VP of business development, to identify various markets and applications for the cells. These include mobile electronics, commercial rooftop PV installations, automotive and building integrated PV, where PV capability is designed into the structure of the building - for instance, in glass windows and panels.
Good volume markets
'Every manufacturing company is looking for a big volume market ideally, but this in unrealistic. In reality you identify several applications with potential for good volumes. Products such as chargers and bags are not the only ones for this technology', says Körner.
He declines to discuss opportunities in more detail. However, it is likely that some of the line's future output will be destined for the commercial rooftop PV industry. One of Heliatek's key investors, Bosch, which owns a global PV business that supplies crystalline and thin-film products, sees potential for lower cost technology.
Before joining Heliatek, Körner worked for eight years at solar firm Schüco International. In January the company recruited Michael Mohr as VP of production. Andreas Rückemann joined as CEO in November 2008.
Currently Heliatek is focused on increasing cell efficiencies, which must be at least 15% for the construction and building industry, as well as an encapsulation layer to protect the organic electronics in the cells. Barrier work is occurring in-house.
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Heliatek
Website for the TU Dresden start-up that is developing OPVs
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Bosch Solar Energy
The solar division of Bosch was responsible for EUR310 million in revenues, based on crystalline and thin-film PV technologies, in 2008
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Building design and the potential of third-generation solar cells
Ingo B Hagemann, architect and building-integrated photovoltaic consultant, discusses opportunities and challenges for organic solar cells and other third-generation photovoltaic technologies in the building and construction industry
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The Future of Flexible and Thin-Film PVs
Technology forecasts to 2019, published by IntertechPira
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