Silicon Photovoltaic Technologies (SiPV)

About

The Silicon Photovoltaics (SiPV) Division at ODTÜ-GÜNAM is Türkiye’s leading R&D center specializing in silicon-based technologies, which continue to dominate global solar cell and module production. Through its advanced research in crystalline silicon technologies, including process development, solar cell fabrication, and characterization, the Division contributes to the advancement of the photovoltaic industry.

Research Areas and Expertise

The SiPV Division focuses on the fabrication and optimization of both p-type and n-type solar cell technologies, including PERC, TOPCon, HJT, and IBC. The Division has integrated capabilities covering the entire solar cell fabrication process, including silicon wafer preparation, surface treatment, thin-film deposition, diffusion, metallization, and laser processing.

The SiPV Division also conducts research on emerging TANDEM and back-contact (xBC) solar cell technologies, with a particular focus on their development and transfer to industry.

Research activities are aimed at developing high-efficiency, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable solar cells. To support the growth of Türkiye’s solar energy manufacturing capabilities, SiPV also works closely with industry through technology transfer, pilot-scale production, testing, and validation activities.

Infrastructure and Capabilities

The SiPV infrastructure includes full-scale pilot production lines capable of processing wafers ranging from 156 mm to 210 mm. The infrastructure supports all major fabrication steps, including texturing, diffusion, PECVD/PVD deposition, screen-printing/plating metallization, and laser processing.

At the core of this infrastructure is the GÜNAM Photovoltaic Line (GPVL), Türkiye’s first and only national photovoltaic pilot production line. GPVL serves as a technology transition platform where research outcomes can be directly transferred to industrial processes. The line provides integrated capabilities spanning solar cell fabrication through module assembly and is accessible to researchers and industry partners for technology validation, prototyping, and training. ODTÜ-GÜNAM’s institutional documentation likewise defines GPVL as an integrated pilot production line capable of carrying out the complete process from silicon wafer to solar cell using industrial-scale equipment. ODTÜ-GÜNAM 2025 Yılı Faaliyet R…

Advanced characterization equipment is available for electrical, optical, and structural analyses, including I–V measurement systems, EQE, carrier lifetime measurement systems, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ellipsometry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). These capabilities form a core part of ODTÜ-GÜNAM’s technology development, characterization, and testing infrastructure for industry.