News Article
Isofoton leads photovoltaic research in the EU
The Spanish company is showing a lot of activity in European R&D photovoltaic technology projects
To commemorate its 30th anniversary, Malaga based firm photovoltaic manufacturer Isofoton takes a look back into its history of R&D&i activities in the European region.
The European Union has several instruments aimed at supporting photovoltaic technology research and development, the most relevant of which is the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technology Development.
Known as FP7, the NMP activities support nanotechnology and nanoscience projects, in addition to projects associated with new production and material development processes.
Between 2007 to 2013, the EU backed 39 R&D&i projects in the field of photovoltaic technology. These projects are grouped into 7 theme categories or clusters under the name ANNEX. The total sum contributed by the EU to these projects equals € 142.8 million, 90% of which come from FP7.
All this information has been collected from the report “Photovoltaics and nanotechnology: from innovation to industry” published by the European Commission.
Isofoton participates in 4 R&D projects of the 4 technology clusters that deal with the manufacture of existing photovoltaic devices, meaning the directly participates in over 10% of on-going photovoltaic technology projects at the European scale, ranking the firm as Europe’s first in terms of number of projects.
Isofoton is currently developing R&D activities along the four lines of work the EU considers have the greatest potential in the medium term. Isofoton is listed among the firms that are leading the research effort together with renowned research centres such as the Fraunhofer ISE Institute (Germany), ECN (The Netherlands), imec (Belgium) and the Lausanne Federal Polytechnic School (Switzerland). Spain’s second entity, Madrid Polytechnic University, ranks at 18. No other European company is listed among the first twenty entities.
ANNEX: DETAILED OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH CLUSTERS IN THE EU
The 7 clusters through which the European Union groups aid to photovoltaic technology include:
Cluster 1:Photovoltaic cells based on silicon wafers. These are first-generation photovoltaic devices.
Cluster 2:Thin film photovoltaic technology. This second-generation technology with a 12% market share covers diverse thin film technologies including CIGS and CdTe. Eight R&D projects are being financed under this cluster, where Isofoton participates in the so-called THINSI project (www.sintef.no/Projectweb/thinsi).
Cluster 3:Third-generation photovoltaic technology. This technology uses advanced concepts including nanomaterials (quantum dots, nanoparticles, nanowires, etc.) or new concepts for developing new photovoltaic devices such as organic cells. This heterogeneous cluster comprises 15 projects that are subdivided into three groups (quantum dot or nanowire based photovoltaics, organic cells and innovative nanostructures).
Cluster 4:Concentration photovoltaic technology. There are three projects that are financed by the EU under this group, where Isofoton participates in the NACIR project.
Cluster 5:This cluster focuses on innovations surrounding grid connections and photovoltaic installations (one project is currently being financed under this category).
Cluster 6:This cluster deals with the development of new manufacturing equipment (three projects are currently being financed under this category).
Cluster 7:This cluster deals with industry support on general and crosscutting aspects such as infrastructure, market, legal, quality and training. There are 6 projects that are currently being financed under this category. Although Isofoton does not participate directly, it does so indirectly through the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), which participates in 4 of these initiatives.
