ODTÜ-GÜNAM

ODTÜ-GÜNAM was founded in 2009 through an initiative by the Middle East Technical University (METU), which has been conducting solar energy research since the 1980s. Supported by Turkey’s Ministry of Development, ODTÜ-GÜNAM is based on METU’s campus as a multidisciplinary research center. Faculty members from seven disciplines across three faculties contributed to its establishment, including the Physics and Chemistry Departments, Civil Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Materials & Metallurgy Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering Departments, as well as the Architecture Department. This broad participation underscores the center’s interdisciplinary approach, which is crucial for advancing solar energy technologies. ODTÜ-GÜNAM achieved the status of “Thematic Research Infrastructure” in 2021 under Law No. 6550, recognizing its importance in solar energy research. The center’s focus includes Silicon Photovoltaic Technologies, Emerging PV, Module Technologies, Concentrated Solar Power, and Power Electronics, aiming to drive innovation and advance solar energy solutions through collaborative research and development.

ODTÜ-GÜNAM decided to participate in the SiLEAN because it directly aligns with our commitment to advancing sustainable PV solutions and driving innovation in different renewable technologies. Our focus is on developing silicon-based solar cells, particularly passivated contacts, SHJ , dopant-free selective contacts, and reducing the reliance on expensive or critical materials. We aim to integrate eco-designed architecture while ensuring cost-effective solutions in ultra-high-efficiency SHJ solar cells, using readily available industrial precursors.

SiLEAN’s focus on advancing cutting-edge materials, layers and solar cells presents an exciting opportunity for us to significantly contribute to the future of P. This is in direct alignment with our core objectives of improving solar energy technology and accelerating the transition to more sustainable, affordable PV; and energy solutions generally speaking. Through our participation, we aim to further enhance our research, collaborate with experts, and continue driving innovation to support a advanced PV techologies.

We will be mainly involved in advancing the light trapping structures considering high throughput, industrial approaches as well as developing transparent conductive oxide without the use of critical and expensive indium. The focus will be to further upscale the process to develop the In-free TCO to larger wafer formats which are the current and future formats considered in the industry.