As the world attempts to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, scientists from different nations are collaborating to improve the efficiency of solar power systems. A team from the electrical engineering department at the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences has kickstarted a project with partners in Austria, Switzerland and Israel to improve the switching methods in photovoltaic systems by developing a novel “electrical trick” technology.

The "Adapted Modules for Bifacial Photovoltaics" (AMBiPV for short) project specifically aims to design an improved electrical interconnection between bifacial (two-sided) solar cells. To date, the switching connectors that enable current to flow between cells have been subject to tears and cracks due to mechanical stress and thermal loads. The new, improved circuitry, which integrates the special contact technology, is being tested both in simulation and on the Westphalian university’s roof. "We hope that by increasing the efficiency of photovoltaic systems, we can make a contribution to energy and thus to climate change," summarises researcher Dr Andreas Schneider in a press release.

The development project is being funded with EUR 65,000 from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia until mid 2022. The partners include the research institute ISC-Konstanz and the Polymer Competence Centre Leoben in Austria, The Institute of Energy Systems and Fluid Engineering at the Zurich University of Applied Science (ZHAW) in Switzerland, and the Israeli company SolAround.