Holiday Wish

December 19 2024

The year 2024 is rushing towards its end. But before the end, the holidays await us. May they pass peacefully, use them to socialize with loved ones and rest.

In the new year 2025, we wish you abundant success in overcoming challenges, may any problems and annoyances be effectively reduced, and may renewable moments of happiness and satisfaction grow and be enjoyed.

Happy New Year!

LPVO at EU-PVSEC 2024

September 17 2024

Between September 23 and 27, we will attend the largest photovoltaic conference, EU-PVSEC in Vienna. This year too, we will be present in two roles, namely the scientific part and the fair part. We will present our results in eight contributions. At the fair, we will present our solutions for monitoring, characterization and aging of photovoltaic modules and solar cells

Scientific contributions:

• 4AO.8.6, Žiga Miklič, Towards Higher Efficiency: Data Analysis and Optimization of PV String Wiring in a Long-Running Solar Power Plant
• 3AV.3.25, Kristijan Brecl, Accurate Energy Performance Model for Bifacial PV Modules
• 2BV.1.39, Matija Pirc, Perovskite Solar Cell Light-Soaking and Relaxation Modelling for Improved Energy Yield Predictions in Indoor Environments
• 2CO.2.5, Miha Kikelj, Characterisation of Degradation Pathways of 3-Terminal Perovskite-Silicon Tandems After Outdoor Monitoring
• 2CV.3.17, Kristijan Brecl, Potential Induced Degradation Free Perovskite-Silicon Tandem Solar Cells
• 2CV.3.18, Špela Tomšič, Experimental Analysis and Modelling of Metastability Behavior in Perovskite-based Solar Cells for Accurate Energy Yield Estimation in Real-world Operating Conditions
• 2CV.3.38, Žan Ajdič, Al₂O₃ Capping Layer for Improved Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells
• 5DV.3.43, Matevž Bokalič, Challenges of Energy Communities at Universities – A Virtual Approach

Exhibition booth E1.

Above list in PDF.

We look forward to meeting you in Vienna!

Presentation of the starting points of the planned Čip.si Competence Center

September 12 2024

Today the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the University of Ljubljana hosted a presentation of the starting points of the planned Competence Center for Chips and Semiconductor Technologies - Čip.si. The event was intended primarily for representatives of companies, as future users of the center's services. The partners of the project consortium are: FE UL in the role of coordinator, FRI UL, FERI UM, UNG, IJS and Nanocenter. The project is in the phase of application to the European tender. The competence center will strive for the development of chips and semiconductor technologies in Slovenia and Europe through training, promotion of the field and networking.

Lecture at Stanfrod University by Marko Topič

June 5 2024

Prof. dr. Marko Topič gave a Lecture at the Stanford University entitled Photovoltaics towards multi-Terawatt scale – PV Materials and Devices in Energy Transition.

In the lecture, prof. Topič first explained the crucial importance of decarbonizing the energy system, which can be achieved by using renewable resources: sun, wind and water. Photovoltaics exceeded 1.5 TW of installed power last year and will play a key role in the future. In the light of further development and research challenges, he presented the role of the Laboratory for Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics (LPVO).

Pepperoni Project Meeting

May 16 2024

The Laboratory of Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics (LPVO) of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering UL will be hosting a General Assembly meeting of the international project Pepperoni from May 23 to 24 2024.

The goal of the Pepperoni project is to support Europe in reaching its renewable energy targets, by advancing perovskite/silicon tandem photovoltaics (PV) technology towards the market introduction and mass manufacturing.

The project will identify and address the barriers to tandem solar technology’s market introduction. And ultimately lay the foundations for fast implementation of new production capacity in Europe as a cost-effective and resource-efficient solution to decarbonise the energy system.

A pilot line enabling this development will be established in Thalheim, Germany with the long-term vision of enabling European industrial leadership on PV production in the global market.

Aurora Project Meeting

May 16 2024

The Laboratory of Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics (LPVO) of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering UL will be hosting a General Assembly meeting of the international project Aurora from May 21 to 22 2024.

The aim of the project is to provoke bottom up approaches to mitigate climate change. We have established a Student Energy Club (ŠEK) that organizes workshops, field visits of renewable power installations and brings together students on energy related matters. We are developing a demonstrator photovoltaic power plant on the roofs of our Faculty to provide first hand experience with photovoltaics. And finally, the project provided the Aurora Energy Tracker app, which users can use to track their energy consumption  and carbon dioxide emissions.

Paper in Journal Advanced Energy Materials

May 9 2024

LPVO members, in cooperation with the German Institute HZB, published an important scientific article in the prestigious scientific journal Advanced Energy Materials. The first authors were Špela Tomšič (LPVO) and Marko Remec (HZB), both doctoral students in the final phase of their doctoral training.

The article entitled From sunrise to sunset: Unraveling metastability in perovskite solar cells by coupled outdoor testing and energy yield modeling presents an innovative methodology that combines experimental characterization of perovskite solar cells under realistic operating conditions with advanced numerical modeling of energy yield. The methodology opens the door to a completely new insight into the dynamics of the operation of this type of solar cell, which, among other things, enables the identification of various hitherto hidden loss mechanisms and the assessment of their effects during the lifetime of the device. All this is crucial for the further development and commercialization of perovskite photovoltaic technology.

Paper in Journal Joule

February 22 2024

Members of the LPVO  in collaboration with the Swiss institute CSEM and the manufacturer MeyerBurger with assistant Miha Kikelj as the first author, have published an article in the prestigious scientific journal Joule.

The article entitled Do all good things really come in threes? The true potential of 3-terminal perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell strings discusses tandem perovskite-silicon solar cells. Specifically, it addresses the efficiency of various sub-cell connections and demonstrates that by utilizing the three-terminal architecture and proper inter-connection, a higher energy yield can be achieved compared to the conventional series connection of two-terminal architecture cells.

uTP4Q Project Meeting

January 27 2024

The Laboratory of Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics (LPVO) of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering UL organised a meeting of the international project Quantera uTP4Q from 25 to 26 January 2024.

The aim of the project is to develop efficient quantum photonic integrated circuits that can be fabricated using the method of micro-transfer printing. In addition to the system for automatic characterisation of photonic integrated circuits at LPVO, the partners of the project visited the clean rooms of the Microelectronics Laboratory and the optical part of the Radiation and Optics Laboratory of our Faculty.

The 10th Slovenian Photovoltaic Conference SLO-PV 2024 and Workshop EuroReg-PV 2024

January 24 2024

The Laboratory for Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics and the Slovenian Technological Platform for Photovoltaics are organizing the 10^th Slovenian Photovoltaic Conference SLO-PV 2024, which will take place on Wednesday, 19 June 2024 at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška cesta 25 in Ljubljana.

The EuroReg-PV 2024 workshop will be held in the days after the SLO-PV 2024 conference from 20 to 21 June 2024 at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in our organization. You are cordially invited to submit abstracts.

Holiday Wish

December 29 2023

The year 2023 was exceptional for photovoltaics in Slovenia, as according to current estimates, the total capacity of newly connected solar power plants will exceed 600 MW. This is almost a 100% increase in cumulative installed capacity, which mostly comes from private investment in small self-sufficient solar power plants.

The year 2023 was also exceptional for the Laboratory for Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics. We will remember it for the excellent achievements of its members:

• Assist. prof. dr. Marko Jošt with colleagues - Odlični v znanosti award (Excellent in science - ARIS Day)
• Assoc. prof. dr. Benjamin Lipovšek – Vidmar Award for Teacher
• dr. Julian Ascencio – Vodovnik Award for Doctoral Dissertation

At the end of the year, we wish you to take advantage of the relaxing holidays for an effective rest, which will ensure regeneration and prepare you for a healthy, happy and satisfied coming year 2024.

Happy New Year!

LPVO at EU-PVSEC 2023

September 13 2023

Between September 18 and 24, we will attend the largest photovoltaic conference, EU-PVSEC in Lisbon. We will be present at this year's 40th jubilee conference in two roles, namely the scientific part and the exhibition part. We will present our results with nine contributions, six with first authorship and three with co-authorship. At the parallel exhibition, we will present our solutions for monitoring and characterization of photovoltaic modules and solar cells.

Scientific contributions with first authorship:

• 3AV.2.16, Matevž Bokalič, Benchmarking of Thin-Film PV Module Long-Term Outdoor Stability
• 2BV.2.15, Darjo Uršič, Reaching Long-Term Indoor Operation of Self-Sustained IoT Devices with Perovskite Solar Cells
• 2BV.2.18, Matija Pirc, Long-Term Monitoring System for Perovskite Solar Cells under Realistic Indoor Conditions
• 2BV.2.19, Marko Jošt, Towards Sustainable and Efficient Indoor PV Using Perovskite Solar Cells
• 2CO.1.6, Špela Tomšič, Modelling Performance and Degradation of Perovskite-Silicon Tandem Devices under Outdoor Operating Conditions
• 2CO.3.6, Miha Kikelj, 3-Terminal Perovskite-Silicon Tandems: from a Peculiar Research Device to a Potential Module Level Solution for the Future?

Scientific contributions with co-authorship:

• 2BO.9.2, M. Khenkin, HZB, Berlin, Reality Check for Perovskite Photovoltaics: Performance and Stability in Outdoor Environment
• 5DO.10.1, C. Sanz-Cuadrado, UPM, Madrid, Unlocking the Potential of Photovoltaic Energy Communities in the Public Sector: Action for the PV Community
• 5EO.3.3, E. Vartiainen, Fortum Renewables, Finland, Attractiveness of PV Prosumerism in the European Electricity Market

Exhibition booth A1

Above list in PDF.

We look forward to meeting you in Lisbon!

Dvořák Lecture by Marko Topič

June 15 2023

Prof. dr. Marko Topič gave a Dvořák Lecture at the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Science entitled Photovoltaics at Terawatt Scale – Science, Engineering and Technology in Energy Transition.

In his lecture he covered the topics ranging from Solar PV’s main role in achieving clean energy targets to the latest research challenges in photovoltaic research. He also presented the success story of the Laboratory of Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics (LPVO).

More in press release at FZJ.

The 9th Slovenian Photovoltaic Conference SLO-PV 2023

June 7 2023

The Laboratory of Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics, together with its partners, organized the 9th Slovenian Photovoltaic Conference SLO-PV 2023, which took place on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška cesta 25 in Ljubljana.

This year's photovoltaic conference was opened by the Minister of Environment, Climate, and Energy, Bojan Kumer, MBA. After the introductory speech by Prof. Dr. Marko Topič, two examples of good practice in the use of photovoltaics were presented, along with the latest developments in Slovenian legislation in this field. A section on the successes of the Slovenian photovoltaic industry, with a focus on solar power plant protection, followed. The conference concluded with a section on the impact of photovoltaics on the environment and society.

More information: the conference website (recordings of the presentations are available).

Best poster award at ECIO23

April 22 2023

At the 24. European Conference on Integrated Optics the member of Laboratory for Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics as. dr. Andraž Debevc recieved the third prize for the best poster at the conference along with coatuthors of the contribution prof. dr. Marko Topič and prof. dr. Janez Krč. The comitee awarded 3 best posters out of a total of 46 posters that were presented at the conference.

In the contribution an innovative implementation of integrated silicon polarization beam splitter based on metamaterials exhibiting a high extinction ratio in a wide wavelength range was presented.

Article in Journal Science

April 7 2023

The prestigious scientific journal Science published the article Photovoltaics at multi-terawatt scale: Waiting is not an option, which was signed by the most prominent American, Asian and European experts in the field of photovoltaics, including Prof. dr. Marko Topič from the Laboratory for Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics together with five colleagues of the European Technology and Innovation Platform (ETIP PV), to which Prof. Topič presided until recently.

The article talks about the important contribution of photovoltaics to the transformation of energy, which was prepared by the aforementioned experts after the third international Terawatt Workshop. The article substantiates the reasons for the exponential growth of photovoltaics, which exceeded the total power of 1000 GW of solar power plants by 2022 and, based on current research and innovation, projects that in the next decade we will maintain a 25% annual global growth of photovoltaics and reach 75 TW of installed solar power by 2050 power plant. Given the climate crisis, hesitation is out of the question. At this rate, photovoltaics will play a key role in limiting climate change and in the transition to sustainable energy. Not only in the field of electricity production, but also with the electrification of other energy sectors and the production of solar fuels with hydrogen at the forefront.

Holiday Wish

December 23 2022

The year 2022 was exceptional for photovoltaics in Slovenia, as the current estimate of newly connected solar PV power plants exceeds 250 MW. This is a 50% increase in the cumulative installed PV power, which mostly comes from private investments in small solar PV power plants in net-metering scheme.

The year 2022 was also exceptional for the Laboratory for Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics. We will remember it for the excellent achievements of its members:

• Prof. Em. Dr. Franc Smole – elected as a Professor Emeritus of University of Ljubljana
  
• Prof. Dr. Marko Topič – Becquerel Award for outstanding merits in Photovoltaics
  
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marko Jankovec – Vidmar's Award
  
• Asst. Prof. Dr. Marko Jošt et al. – Recognition for one of the top 10 research achievements of the University of Ljubljana in 2022

At the end of the year, we wish you to take the advantage of relaxing holidays for an effective rest, which will ensure the renewal of positive energy and prepare you for a healthy, successful and happy coming year 2023!

Happy New Year!

Start of the Pepperoni Project

November 25 2022

LPVO has started participation in the international Horizon Europe Pepperoni project. The Pepperoni consortium has 17 partners from 12 European countries. The project is led by German partners: the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin Institute and the manufacturer of solar cells and photovoltaic modules Q Cells.

The Pepperoni project (Pilot line for European Production of PEROvskite-Silicon taNdem modules on Industrial scale) is a four-year research and innovation project co-financed by the European Union within the Horizon Europe program and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation. The project focuses on the development of tandem perovskite-silicon solar cells. The aim of the project is to accelerate the development of tandem cells, their introduction to the market and the establishment of a pilot line as a basis for the introduction of new production capacities in Europe.

First press release.

LPVO at World photovoltaic conference WCPEC-8

September 16 2022

We will actively participate in the World Photovoltaic Conference WCPEC-8 in Milan between September 26 and 30. This year's world conference combines the European (39th EU PVSEC), American (IEEE PVSC-51) and Asian (PVSEC-32) photovoltaic conferences and will be held both live and online. We will participate in the conference in three roles, with scientific contributions and at the fair, while Prof. Dr. Marko Topič also as a recipient of the prestigious Becquerel Award.

Scientific contributions with first authorship:

• 2AV.1.3, M. Remec, Quantifying Energy Losses Due to Light Soaking Effect in Perovskite Solar Cells under Outdoor Conditions
• 2AV.1.47, D. Uršič, Energy Harvesting from a Single Lab-Scale Perovskite Solar Cells for Self-Powered Indoor IoT Applications
• 2AV.3.11, M. Kovačič, Optical Effects of Laser-Reduced Graphene Oxide Layers in Tandem Perovskite/CIGS Solar Cells studied by Numerical Simulations
• 2AV.3.12, Š. Tomšič, Modelling and Optimization of Perovskite-Silicon Tandem Devices for Enhanced Field Energy Production
• 1BO.4.6, M. Bokalič, Insights into Cut-edges of SHJ Solar Cells by EL and LBIC Characterization
• 2BO.9.1, K. Brecl, The impact of high negative bias on perovskite solar cells in PID testing
• 3DV.1.43, U. Barbič, Stand-alone IoT Enabled Bifacial Irradiance Sensor for PV
• 1DV.4.7, M. Kikelj, Cut out for Efficiency: A Detailed LBIC Study of Edge Recombination in Cut-Cell Silicon Photovoltaics

Scientific contributions in collaboration:

• 2AV.3.15, L. Senaud, High Efficiency 3-Terminal Perovskite/Silicon Tandems Based on Tunnel Junction IBC
• 2BO.9.6, M. Khenkin, Indoor and Outdoor Ageing of Perovskite Solar Cells: Long-Term Stability vs Meta-Stability
• 3CO.6.3, L. Tous, Overview of Key Results Achieved in H2020 HighLite Project Helping to Raise the EU PV Industries’ Competitiveness
• 4DO.3.5, A. Faes, Photovoltaics Modules and Systems Monitoring within HighLite H2020
• 5DV.2.69, S. Nowak, PV Will Shine in the New Clean Energy Transition Partnership

At the exhibition, we will present our solutions in the field of measuring solar cells and monitoring photovoltaic modules at stand E5. We will also be present at stand C8, where together with our European partners we will present the results of the HighLite and SuperPV projects.

The Becquerel Prize Award ceremony will take place as part of the first plenary section of the conference, on Monday, September 26, at 9:30 am.

Vabljeni!

LPVO at MOS 2022 fair

September 13 2022

International craft fair (MOS) will take place between September 14 and 18 in Celje. LPVO participates in the Intersection of Science and Economy (Stičišče znanosti in gospodarstva), which promotes achievements of Slovenian science and strives for closer cooperation between scientific and economic spheres.

We are present at the booth 16, which is located on the first floor of hall L1.

Welcome!

Becquerel Prize

August 22 2022

Prof. Dr. Marko Topič is this year awardee of the Becquerel Prize. The Becquerel Prize, named after the inventor of the photovoltaic effect, Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel, is granted by the European Comission to a single individual who is recognized for outstanding merits in the field of photovoltaics.

The official award ceremony take place on the occasion of the 8th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, which will take place between September 26 and 30 2022 in Milan.

LinkedIn post.

Congratulations!

Free PhD position in LPVO

August 1 2022

In the Laboratory for Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics, we have a vacancy for a young researcher in the field of integrated photonics.

In this field, in the laboratory, we deal with the design, manufacture and characterization of photonic structures and photonic integrated circuits based on silicon technologies. We are involved in the Quantera project in the field of quantum photonics for the production of efficient quantum-photonic circuits produced with the help of microtransfer printing on a silicon-nitride platform. There are many new challenges for the doctoral dissertation in this field.

The PhD student will be involved in the current research in the field of integrated photonics at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in cooperation with leading European institutions in the aforementioned field.

Welcome to the world of integrated photonics!

Contact person: Janez Krč

Kick-off of the uTP4Q Project

June 24 2022

The Quantera uTP4Q project partners met at the kick-off meeting of the project at the University of Ghent in Belgium (June 22 2022). The Laboratory for Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics (LPVO) acts as one of six partners on behalf of the University of Ljubljana.

The project entitled A versatile quantum photonic IC platform enabled by micro-transfer printing - uTP4Q extends to the field of integrated quantum photonics. Using the micro-transfer printing method, we intend to combine different components of quantum photonics (single-photon sources, modulators, photodetectors, optical couplers and other components), which are fabricated on different photonic platforms, into a single quantum-photon integrated circuit. You can read more about the project on the web link.

Tapas project meeting

June 17 2022

After the successful completion of the EuroReg PV workshop, we hosted a meeting of the Tapas project at the Laboratory for Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. The Tapas project is a project funded by the Helmholtz European Partnership programme, which focuses on strengthening the existing cooperation between Helmholtz Zentrum Beriln and University of Ljubljana. The topic of the Tapas project is the field of tandem perovskite-silicon solar cells with an emphasis on stability research, finding the source of degradation with advanced characterization techniques, development of dedicated characterization equipment and optoelectric modelling.

Free PhD positions in LPVO

June 15 2022

In the Laboratory for Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics, we have two vacancies for young researchers to work on interesting, current topics. One topic is in the field of photovoltaics and the other in the field of photonics. Contact us for more detailed information. Young researchers are enrolling in doctoral studies at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in the coming academic year.

The deadline for applying for vacancies is short, so please contact Prof. Dr. Janez Krč or Prof. Dr. Benjamin Lipovšek as soon as possible (no later than June 30, 2022).

The 8th Slovenian Photovoltaic Conference SLO-PV 2022 and Workshop EuroReg-PV 2022

June 8 2022

The Laboratory for Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics and the Slovenian Technological Platform for Photovoltaics are organizing the 8th Slovenian Photovoltaic Conference SLO-PV 2022, which will take place on Tuesday, 14 June 2022, between 9 am and 2 pm at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška cesta 25 in Ljubljana.

At this year's photovoltaic conference, experts will present the latest trends in research and development of solar cells, photovoltaic modules, inverters or photovoltaic systems. They will provide relevant information on the management and maintenance of photovoltaic systems, talk about the development of the Slovenian photovoltaic market and provide answers to questions regarding the installation of a solar power plant and connection to the electricity grid. There will also be a fair presentation of companies offering products and services in the field of photovoltaics and sustainable energy. Attendance at the conference is free, only registration is required.

The EuroReg-PV 2022 workshop will be held shortly after the SLO-PV 2022 conference from 16 to 17 June 2022 at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in our organization.

Article in Journal ACS Energy Letters

March 10 2022

An article entitled Perovskite/CIGS Tandem Solar Cells: From Certified 24.2% toward 30% and Beyond was published yesterday in one of the top five international scientific journals in the field of energy and nanosciences, ACS Energy Letters. The article presents a record Perovskite/CIGS tandem solar cell with 24.2% conversion efficiency, which was the result of collaboration between the Laboratory for Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics (LPVO) and Helmholtz Zentrum Beriln (HZB). Dr. Marko Jošt is the first author, the other co-authors from LPVO are young researcher Špela Tomšič, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Benjamin Lipovšek and Prof. Dr. Marko Topič.

The first press release from the Aurora project

January 18 2022

As part of the Aurora project, we issued the first press release. You can downloaded it in several languages from the project website.