AI-based process monitoring platform for third-generation photovoltaics

Photovoltaics (PV) play a crucial role in the fight against climate change and the transition to green energy sources. Third-generation photovoltaic technology aims to achieve highly efficient modules and improved adaptability for various applications in different sectors. However, the precise and complicated production process leads to enormous amounts of waste due to defects. Against this backdrop, the EU-funded Platform-ZERO project is developing a new industrial process monitoring platform for third-generation PV that uses AI to revolutionize the production process and drastically reduce errors and costs. To achieve its goals, the project will develop novel sensors and methods for industrial inline inspection that will improve the quality of third-generation PV and reduce its environmental impact by minimizing the consumption of energy and valuable materials during production.

Objective

Third-generation photovoltaic technologies offer high performance and adaptability for ubiquitous integration (BIPV, VIPV, agrivoltaics, IoT...) and are well suited for manufacturing within the framework of Industry 4.0. However, due to their high complexity and finely tuned production processes, they are susceptible to critical defects that can occur even with minor deviations from standard process conditions and lead to significant production waste. In this context, Platform-ZERO offers a new paradigm for the third-generation PV industry by developing a self-learning, modular, and adaptable inline process monitoring platform that enables holistic production evaluation and control on site. Non-destructive testing methods and Industry 4.0 tools based on artificial intelligence (AI) are used to detect, correct, and/or prevent pre-critical production errors at an early stage. To achieve this ambitious goal, the Platform Zero consortium brings together partners with a strong background in the advanced characterization of complex materials and process monitoring methods, as well as partners who are leaders at the European level in the development/production of third-generation PV devices and related products, providing a balanced contribution from science and industry with a high degree of multidisciplinarity. Platform-ZERO will demonstrate its innovative holistic process monitoring technology through the development, installation, and validation of four functional demonstrators in various PV and PV-related manufacturing lines at TRL7: Roll-to-roll (CIGS solar film), sheet-to-sheet (high-efficiency CIGS and perovskite), and line flow (smart coatings) PV and PV-related production lines. The Platform-ZERO technology will help to increase overall quality and reduce the cost of high-tech PV devices, thereby increasing the competitiveness of the PV industry in the EU and enabling PV to become an important energy source for Europe's transition to climate-neutral energy production.

Start date: January 1, 2023

End date: December 31, 2026