AIKO has announced a partnership with the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP) to embark on a $4 million research and development initiative focused on enhancing silicon solar cell efficiency using advanced photon multiplication (PM) technology. The groundbreaking collaboration aims to achieve over 30% efficiency in Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) cells by generating multiple electron-hole pairs from high-energy photons – a leap beyond the 29% limit typical of crystalline silicon cells, achieved without the added complexity of tandem structures.
“AIKO leads the world in back-contact cell manufacturing, and we are excited to collaborate on this groundbreaking initiative,” commented ACAP founder Professor Martin Green. “With UNSW’s world-class research capabilities and AIKO’s industry leadership, we aim to push the boundaries of photovoltaic performance and shape the future of solar energy.”
ACAP’s executive director Professor Renate Egan added: “The ACAP Consortium serves as the foundation for this partnership, bringing together leading academic institutions and industry partners to foster innovation and drive the development of high-efficiency solar technologies. This joint effort exemplifies how collaborative R&D can overcome technical barriers, setting new benchmarks for the solar industry.”
The initiative is part of ACAP’s Industry Consortium, a pioneering alliance between academia and industry designed to drive the next wave of innovation in photovoltaic technology. AIKO’s investment underlines its long-term commitment to advancing high-efficiency solar solutions and aligns seamlessly with its goals to deliver sustainable energy advancements worldwide. The project’s design allows for smooth integration into existing solar manufacturing processes, making it a transformative development with immediate industry impact.
