Products
First product: C3
For cell manufacturers, C3 requires only small changes in metalization print patterns and selective doping. Manufacturers can implement C3 by working with Solar Inventions to modify their print screens and make a small set of additional easy and risk-free changes to production lines.
CONFIGURABLE CURRENT CELL (C3)
Lowers current, reduces I2R losses, and increases overall module power by 2-3 watts
Reduces silver costs by 3% on the sunny side and up to 5% on the rear size
Displaces and/or complements fast growing half-cell market
Improves performance on nearly all types of silicon cells
Works with PERC, n-type, BSF, mono- or multi-crystalline, bi-facial, and half-cells
Requires no changes to module manufacturing (full or half cell)
EXTENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING
Several generations of successful prototypes completed
Gen 2 fabricated/tested at both UNC Charlotte solar lab and at Georgia Tech solar lab
Commercial validation at CFV Solar Test Laboratory, of Albuquerque, New Mexico
C3 will power even more exciting applications as the industry continues increasing the size of cells. By subdividing the current in larger cells, C3 can reduce the resistive losses that increase as cell sizes grow past six inches.
Second product: CVC (in development)
CONFIGURABLE VOLTAGE CELL (CVC)
Connects subcells in series within a single cell, increasing the cell’s voltage proportionately
Reduces the risk of hotspots
Can be readily scaled up to any number of subcells
Broad applications include solar shingles with simplified wiring, reducing the cost of residential solar
Higher-voltage panels wired in parallel can simplify inverters and reduce power electronics
Lower-cost phone chargers and solar lanterns for low-income countries
NOW IN LABORATORY DEVELOPMENT
CVC has been successfully fabricated and tested with up to 12 subcells at UNC Charlotte and the Georgia Institute of Technology, generating more than 5 volts from a single, unbroken cell.
Commercial pilots anticipated by early 2021.
C3 and CVC are complementary and can be used together, laying the foundation for rapidly commercializing a range of brand-new functionality and price-points in the solar marketplace.