EV Group working with Fraunhofer ISE on next-gen solar wafer bonding

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Multi-junction solar cells with conversion efficiencies of almost 50% could become cost effective via a collaboration between equipment supplier EV Group and Fraunhofer ISE.

The RD&E collaboration will work to develop electrically conductive and optically transparent direct wafer bonds at room temperature using mismatched material combinations like gallium arsenide (GaAs) on silicon, GaAs on indium phosphide (InP), InP on germanium (Ge) and GaAs on gallium antimonide (GaSb) to boost efficiencies while offering significantly lower material cost.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Dr. Frank Dimroth, Head of department III-V – Epitaxy and Solar Cells at Fraunhofer ISE said, “Using direct semiconductor bond technology developed in cooperation with EVG, we expect that the best material choices for multi-junction solar cell devices will become available and allow us to increase the conversion efficiency toward 50 percent.”

According to Fraunhofer ISE, to achieve higher cell efficiencies requires the development of four- and five-junction solar cells with new material combinations, which can utilise the full spectrum between 300-2000nm.

Markus Wimplinger, corporate technology development and IP director for EVG said: “Fraunhofer ISE's broad expertise in the area of PV, specifically in concentrated PV cell manufacturing and photonics, will allow us to characterize bonding interfaces with respect to PV applications on our new ‘ComBond’ equipment platform.”   

EVG said its ‘ComBond’ technology enables the formation of bond interfaces between heterogeneous materials – such as silicon to compound semiconductors, compound semiconductors to compound semiconductors, Ge to silicon and Ge to compound semiconductors – at room temperature, while achieving excellent bonding strength on substrates as large as 200mm.

 

Read Next

October 3, 2025
Renewables developer Madison Energy Infrastructure has bought the US distributed generation assets of NextEra Energy Resources.
October 3, 2025
EDF Renewables and Enlight Renewable Energy have advanced solar-plus-storage projects in New Mexico and Arizona.
October 3, 2025
SunStrong Management has raised US$900 million to refinance a 'large portfolio' of residential solar assets developed by SunPower.
October 3, 2025
The US solar manufacturing industry is feeling bullish, despite the policy whiplash inflicted over the summer and the increased pressure on US solar supply chains.
October 3, 2025
Chinese government policies and supply-side production cuts will drive a significant increase in solar and storage component costs.
Premium
October 2, 2025
Australia's solar sector delivered a strong September performance in the National Electricity Market (NEM) as the country entered spring, with combined solar PV generation reaching 3,933GWh - a 17.83% increase from August's 3,338GWh.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland