IBM researchers set sights on cooler CPV technology

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

As part of wider plan to leverage advanced research at IBM to
significantly reduce the cost-per-watt of solar photovoltaics from
silicon cells, thin-film and concentrator photovoltaics (CPV), IBM
scientists are developing a more powerful CPV technology that they
claim could lead to a significant breakthrough for utility-scale
applications.

A paper presented by IBM at the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists conference last week highlighted an innovative cooling technique to keep solar cells operating at high efficiency levels. The IBM team used a very thin layer of a liquid metal made of a gallium and indium compound that they applied between the chip and a thermal interface layer.

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

The result was a solar cell operating at a controlled 85 degrees Celsius, significantly less than a typical CPV device. The researchers noted that without the thermal interface layer the temperatures would reach 1600 degrees.

“We believe IBM can bring unique skills from our vast experience in semiconductors and nanotechnology to the important field of alternative energy research,” said Dr. Supratik Guha, the scientist leading photovoltaics activities at IBM Research. “This is one of many exploratory research projects incubating in our labs where we can drive big change for an entire industry while advancing the basic underlying science of solar cell technology.”

With the development of the liquid metal cooling technology, IBM is developing a concentrator lens that is more powerful and lower in cost than conventional CPV lens technologies to achieve lower cost-per-watt systems.

Currently, IBM claims to have produced 70 watts of usable electrical power from a typical solar cell, which they claim is about five times the electrical power density generated by typical cells using CPV technology in solar farms.

IBM lab results are claimed to have produced a 2300 sun system, where approximately 230 watts per square centimeter are concentrated onto the cell system. This cuts the number of photovoltaic cells and other components by a factor of 10, according to IBM.

Further development work is being carried out before the cooling and lens technology can be commercialized.

Read Next

September 15, 2025
Advances in edge-based artificial intelligence are helping make solar and storage interoperable by tackling the data challenge, writes Andrew Foster.
September 15, 2025
Italy’s latest renewable energy tender has received 12GW of bids, of which the majority, 10GW, came from solar PV.
September 15, 2025
Sunrun has priced a securitisation of leases and power purchase agreements, taking its non-recourse debt capital raised in Q3 above US$1.5 billion. 
September 15, 2025
Norwegian energy firm Statkraft has agreed to divest a portion of its renewable energy portfolio to Serentica Renewables.
September 15, 2025
UNSW spin-out company Lab360 Solar has been awarded funding from ARENA to bring its drone-based PV inspection technology to market.
Premium
September 15, 2025
The UK government and solar industry have jointly published a long-anticipated roadmap detailing how to maximise the country’s solar potential. Chris Hewett, CEO of Solar Energy UK takes a closer look at the details.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines