Greatcell Solar Limited (GSL) has announced they have been awarded €500,000 (approximately A$ 800K) in a European Union Horizon 2020 project known as H2020-SGA-FET-GRAPHENE. The successful grant to Greatcell's application has occurred through its 100% Italian subsidiary, Greatcell Solar Italy, based in Rome.
The H2020 project is for the innovative development and the installation of a Perovskite Solar Cell (PSC) Photovoltaic (PV) 10m2 solar array in the Greek island of Crete and aligns very closely with Greatcell's existing technology development plan.
Much of the work involved will investigate advanced technology for higher efficiencies, longer life and improved encapsulation of PSC enabled glass substrates, investigating in particular the usage of Graphene in PSC solar cells.
GSL is leading the world in the manufacture of materials and process development for the commercialisation of PSC technology. These are all critical in the successful translation of the exciting 3rd generation PSC PV technology from the laboratory to the factory and satisfying PV industry accreditation (IEC 61215).
Greatcell has a multigenerational technology development plan with the objective of producing PV technology that generates electricity for as low as 3.5 US cents per kWh or 20 - 25 US cents per watt-peak (Wp). This is significantly lower than existing, competitive PV technologies.
Commercialisation Schedule of the H2020 Graphene project will be conducted within the Graphene flagship, one of the largest technological alliances in the EU, which includes the following partners: the Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission of France (CEA), University of Rome Tor Vergata and Technical Educational Institute of Crete.
Greatcell Solar has recently received two similar grants, GOTSolar in 2016 (€650,000) and Apolo in late 2017 (€700,000), and these are 2 -3 years in duration and ‘unmatched‘ or self-funding. We would like to express our gratitude to the European Union for its recognition of our technology leadership and strong financial support regarding the development of this disruptive and promising PV technology.