I-Corps: Kirigami solar cell development for commercial applications

太阳能跟踪是一项成熟的技术，可以大大增加给定光伏（PV）模块的输出功率。传统的跟踪系统，如单轴和双轴跟踪器，有可能提高光伏模块的整体效率，从而降低成本，但由于系统复杂性、高安装成本以及需要笨重的结构部件来支持系统重量和风负载，因此尚未得到广泛实施。此外，这种跟踪系统不能部署在空间有限的地点。这个团队基于古老的Kirigami艺术，开发了一种轻巧紧凑的太阳能跟踪新范例。该团队提出的技术有可能降低光伏组件的成本，并且可以部署在通过使用现有跟踪技术无法到达的位置，例如移动和住宅（倾斜）屋顶，因为其低调，紧凑的性质。Kirigami跟踪模块由一个简单的Kirigami -cut模式与薄膜太阳能电池集成组成，通过拉动设备，可以改变嵌入基板上的太阳能电池的角度。通过利用基里伽米基板本身独特的几何特性，以及薄膜太阳能电池优异的电气和机械特性，这些设备可用于有效地跟踪太阳。由于kirigami跟踪系统的低姿态特性，没有风荷载，因此不需要额外的结构部件来支持这种力。此外，kirigami跟踪在设计上是轻量级的，允许人们消除许多基础和支撑结构，事实上，构成了传统跟踪系统的大部分成本。由于kirigami基板的连续性和所有细胞同时被驱动的能力（不像传统的跟踪系统，需要额外的组件来连接每个面板），系统的缩放也相对简单。最后，通过消除传统跟踪所需的许多组件并大幅减小模块尺寸，该团队相信kirigami跟踪将有助于开辟新的市场领域。

Solar tracking is a mature technology that substantially increases the power output of a given photovoltaic (PV) module. Conventional tracking systems such as single and dual axis trackers have the potential to improve the overall efficiency of PV modules and thereby lower costs, but have not been widely implemented due to system complexity, high installation costs and the need for cumbersome structural components to support system weight and wind loading. Moreover, such tracking systems cannot be deployed in space-limited locations. This team has developed a new paradigm for lightweight and compact solar tracking based on the ancient art of Kirigami. This team's proposed technology has the potential to reduce the cost of photovoltaic modules and can be deployed in locations that are not accessible via the use of existing tracking technology such as mobile and residential (pitched) rooftops on account of its low-profile, compact nature. Kirigami tracking modules consist of a simple kirigami-cut pattern integrated with thin-film solar cells, whereby pulling on the device results in a change in angle of the solar cells embedded on the substrate. By leveraging the unique geometric properties of the kirigami substrate itself, and the excellent electrical and mechanical properties of the thin-film solar cells, these devices can be used to efficiently track the sun. Due to the low-profile nature of kirigami tracking systems, there is no wind loading and, thus, no need for additional structural components to support such forces. Furthermore, kirigami tracking is lightweight in design, allowing one to eliminate much of the foundation and supporting structures that, in fact, make up much of the cost of conventional tracking systems. Due to the continuous nature of the kirigami substrate and the ability of all cells to be actuated simultaneously (unlike conventional tracking systems, where additional components are needed to connect each panel), system scaling is also relatively straightforward. Finally, by eliminating many of the components needed for conventional tracking and drastically reducing module size, this team believes that kirigami tracking will help open new market segments.