I-Corps: Kirigami solar cell development for commercial applications

太阳能跟踪是一种成熟的技术，它大大增加了给定光伏（PV）模块的功率输出。传统的跟踪系统，例如单轴和双轴跟踪器，具有提高PV模块的整体效率并由此降低成本的潜力，但是由于系统复杂性、高安装成本以及需要笨重的结构部件来支撑系统重量和风载荷，因此尚未被广泛实施。此外，这种跟踪系统不能部署在空间有限的地点。该团队基于古老的Kirigami艺术开发了一种新的轻型紧凑型太阳能跟踪模式。 该团队提出的技术有可能降低光伏模块的成本，并且可以部署在无法通过使用现有跟踪技术访问的位置，例如移动的和住宅（倾斜）屋顶，因为其低姿态，紧凑的性质。 Kirigami跟踪模块由与薄膜太阳能电池集成的简单kirigami切割图案组成，由此拉动设备导致嵌入在基板上的太阳能电池的角度变化。通过利用kirigami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，这些设备可以用于有效地跟踪太阳。由于kirigami跟踪系统的低轮廓特性，没有风荷载，因此不需要额外的结构部件来支撑这种力。此外，kirigami跟踪在设计上是轻量级的，允许人们消除大部分的基础和支撑结构，事实上，弥补了传统跟踪系统的大部分成本。由于kirigami基板的连续性质和所有单元同时被致动的能力（不像传统的跟踪系统，其中需要额外的组件来连接每个面板），系统缩放也相对简单。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跟踪将有助于打开新的细分市场。

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.