Solar technology provides an affordable, reliable and secure source of energy. It is a vital part of the energy supply mix needed to mitigate climate change. Module production has increased at an astonishing 35%p.a. compound rate over the past 15 years to 60GW in 2016. Over 12GW of solar modules has already been installed in the UK. The solar research area is rich in scientific and commercial opportunity.

The Supergen SuperSolar Hub has established an inclusive and co-ordinated network for the Photovoltaics (PV) research community in the UK. The Hub engages with stakeholders in Universities, Industry, Finance and Government. The SuperSolar Hub has achieved impact by reaching out to the wider community through its Associate and Network membership (589 members). It has also worked with other Hubs on cross-cutting topics such as energy storage and grid integration. A 12 month extension of the Hub will enable it to continue supporting the UK Solar community to April 2018 including 12 events, a further Call for Industrial and International engagement and support for SESSIG (Solar Energy Industry Special Interest Group). We will also maintain UKAS ISO-17025 accreditation for the SuperSolar cell efficiency measurement facility.

The Supergen Supersolar Hub comprises eight of the UK's leading University teams engaged in the development of photovoltaic technologies. The Hub was quick to recognise the importance of the development of perovskite solar cells at Oxford University and has funded complementary research programmes in Hub member and Associate member laboratories through its flexible funding. The speed of progress made with perovskite solar cells has been unprecedented and conversion efficiencies of >22% have been reported. The technology has serious commercial potential. World-wide competition is fierce, but the UK effort, co-ordinated by the SuperSolar Hub, has helped to maintain our leadership position. The research programme proposed will address the key issue of perovskite device stability with the ambitious objective of fabricating devices with >20% efficiency and >1,000 hours lifetime and less than 5% degradation when stressed under sunlight. The programme also includes the objective of achieving >25% efficiency with a perovskite/silicon tandem solar device. Achievement of these objectives will generate further valuable IP and take the technology closer to commercialization.

Potential Impact:
Impact summary

Industrial impact: UK companies are very active in the solar industry. For example, NSG-Pilkington supplies 20km2 of coated glass to First Solar Inc each year. M-solv Ltd is developing a new laser ablation/inkjet process to interconnect thin film photovoltaic panels. Eight19 Ltd is manufacturing organic solar cells on roll-to-roll for indoor applications. Dycotec Materials Ltd is developing inks for PV applications. Opus Technologies Ltd and Cornelius Specialities Ltd are developing super-hydrophobic coatings to reduce the soiling of solar modules. Above Surveying Ltd has developed an aerial drone system to monitor the performance of modules in solar farms with theromographic cameras. A powerful UK supply chain is being formed and supported by SuperSolar activities.

The recent stand-out development in solar is the discovery of perovskite solar cells. The progress made has been astonishingly fast with efficiencies exceeding 22%. The fundamental discoveries at Oxford are protected by patents and licensed to a spin out company, Oxford Photovoltaics Ltd. The band gap of perovskites makes the technology suitable for use with crystalline silicon in a tandem device, extracting ~25% more power. This is the 'killer application'. Semi-transparent windows producing power is another potential application. NSG-Pilkington has entered the market for PV window and cladding products. Ossila Ltd, a Sheffield spin out, sells perovskite compounds and materials to the research community. Achieving the objectives of this research proposal will take the technology a further step forward to commercialisation.

Academic impact: Perovskite solar cells have taken the research community by storm, and this is illustrated by the growth of academic papers. In 2012, there were 4 papers on the topic of perovskite solar cells; 2,500 have been published so far in 2016. In 2013 Science named perovskite solar cells as one of the breakthroughs of the year. It is guaranteed that the activities proposed will have the highest academic impact..

Working with Industry bodies: The PI is a member of several solar energy industry bodies including SESSIG (Solar Energy Special Interest Group), SEII Steering Group and the BEIS (DECC) UK PV Strategy Group. Events have been jointly organised by the SuperSolar Hub, the KTN and SESSIG. SESSIG was set up by Innovate UK to create a network for UK companies involved in solar R&D. The Hub will adopt SESSIG and continue to provide facilities and events for its members.

Accredited solar cell measurement facility: The Hub has established a UKAS ISO-17025 accredited cell efficiency measurement facility. The facility was established for use by the PV community and will continue to offer a service to University and Industrial Users.

Intellectual property: This project will generate intellectual property in the area of novel materials, devices and manufacturing processes for perovskite PV technology. A collaboration agreement has been signed by all consortium partners that will cover this project.

Training: Training is another important impact for the SuperSolar Hub. The Hub holds annual training days which attract 40+ attendees to each event. The CDT in New and Sustainable Photovoltatics will benefit since this project will be open to the CDT students..

Government policy: The Hub is represented on the BEIS (DECC) UK PV Strategy Group and the PI is co-Chair of its Innovation Task Force. This enables the Hub to influence Government policy.

Timeliness and novelty: The SuperSolar Hub addresses the global challenge to produce energy in a clean and efficient manner, and the research will maintain the UK's lead in perovskite PV which will have important commercial applications. The Hub will continue to catalyse academic-business co-operation.