Dutch group developing new production method for perovskite solar cells

05 Mar 2025

“Perovision” approach optimises nickel oxide layers using spatial atomic layer deposition.

A Netherlands-based collaboration between Kalpana Systems, HyETSolar, and research laboratory TNO has been launched to advance the commercialisation of perovskite solar cells. The Perovision Project aims to optimize nickel oxide (NiOx) layers for perovskite solar cells using spatial atomic layer deposition (ALD).

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (“RVO”) awarded the project an EKOO: Electricity Subsidy grant to support the country’s energy independence and transition. Project results are expected in 2027.

The Perovision Project focuses on perovskite solar cells, which are considered the next generation in solar technology, “thanks to their high efficiency, low production cost and flexibility,” TNO stated.

However, scaling up the manufacturing process for perovskite solar cells to an industrial scale has proven challenging, hampering the widespread adoption of the innovation. The Perovision project seeks to overcome some of these challenges.

Toward mass customisation

The Perovision Project is directed at the development of a pilot-scale spatial ALD process for NiOx layers in a perovskite solar cell. NiOx improves both the efficiency, reliability and stability of perovskite solar cells but is difficult to produce with high quality at an industrial scale.

Spatial ALD enables the deposition of NiOx with atomic precision at high throughput. This combination of precision and speed is crucial for commercial viability, as it ensures both the quality and cost-effectiveness needed for large-scale production of perovskite solar cells.

The consortium brings together complementary expertise from three leading organisations. TNO will play a key role in material characterisation and process optimisation.

“We are excited to contribute our expertise in thin-film development to help refine the spatial ALD process for perovskite solar cells,” said Harald Kerp, Senior Business Developer at TNO. “By ensuring high-quality layer deposition, we can accelerate the adoption and strengthen the Dutch ALD industrial ecosystem.”

Diederick Spee, CEO of Kalpana Systems, commented, “We are committed to pushing technologies into practise that accelerate the energy transition. Our spatial ALD system provides a scalable, cost-effective solution for producing high-quality nickel oxide layers, bringing perovskite solar cells closer to mainstream adoption.”

HyETSolar, a developer of flexible thin-film photovoltaics systems, sees this project as an enabling technology development for flexible perovskite roll-to-roll production. “Kalpana Systems’ technology will enable us to manufacture perovskite modules at industrial scale,” said Thierry de Vrijer, Director of Technology of HyETSolar. “This is a crucial step towards making lightweight, flexible perovskite solar panels viable for large-scale applications.”

The project will run from February 2025 to January 2027, targeting integration into HyETSolar’s production line by mid-2027 and full-scale production by 2030.

Advantages of perovskite

What makes the use of perovskite in solar cells so promising?

• The raw materials for perovskites are not scarce; they’re found in many parts of the world, which also makes them cheap
• It only takes a very thin layer of perovskite (between 0.5 µm and 1.0 µm) to make a solar cell. This saves raw materials and makes them even cheaper.
• The manufacturing process by which perovskite is applied to a substrate is simple and can be done at low temperatures.
• Therefore it takes less energy to make perovskite solar cells as compared to more conventional solar cells like crystalline silicon solar cells. This further reduces the environmental impact and production costs remain low.