Technology transfer, process specification, factory ramp-up
Production line audit
PV module processing
Materials science (lamination materials and processes, conductive adhesives and other electrical connection techniques, weather sealing, optical properties, degradation, aesthetics, recycling, design for sustainability, mass customization, lightweight)
Power electronics, including electrical modeling, reliability and degradation
Module manufacturing: Automation, mass-customization, bending and curving of c-Si, lamination of sensitive PV like perovskites, tandem module manufacturing
Advanced failure analysis; destructive and non-destructive
Module characterization: including high capacity modules and non-conventional module concepts
Optical characterization and modeling
Applications and Integration
Advanced modelling: algorithm development, bifacial with realistic non-uniformities, tracking, electronically complex systems, albedo in bifacial systems, etc.
Safety research: arcing, parasitic capacity losses, hotspots, electronic behavior, etc.
Power electronics: (dynamic) shading effects, system optimization, etc.
Economic analysis: O&M, LCOE, cash flow, etc.
Outdoor testing: new module concepts, system electronic response, development of advanced test systems
Opportunities for co-use with agriculture and for increasing ecological values
PV with utility-scale battery storage systems; PV with electrolyzer
Project management of large multi-disciplinary R&D projects