PV2+ GmbH is a deep-tech spin-off from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE.

PV2+ has developed a patented solution to considerably reduce the cost of high efficiency solar cells, whilst enhancing their performance and sustainability by utilizing abundant copper instead of silver for the solar cell contacts.

We are currently working with industry partners to commercialize this innovation.

Abundant Copper for solar power in abundance

Abundant Copper for solar power in abundance

Even though PV is becoming the lowest-cost option for electricity generation in most of the world, solar energy today contributes to only 3 % of the world's energy production. Our mission is to enable a rapid but sustainable growth of the solar industry by solving the problem of limited silver resources that increasingly confront the solar industry.

The silver issue

The silver issue

Silver accounts for approximately 10 % of PV module costs. This share is expected to increase drastically in the near future. In 2021, the cost of silver for electrical contacts in solar modules amounted to approximately 2.7 bn. USD.

But more importantly there are not enough silver resources worldwide to scale the solar industry up to a terawatt production. However, this is necessary to reach our climate goals.

Already within the next five years, the growing silver scarcity is expected to become a severe bottle neck for the solar industry.

The PV2+ solution

The PV2plus solution

Our approach is to substitute screen-printed silver contacts with electro-plated copper contacts using a patented process. This innovation promises to have various advantages for solar cell manufacturers:

  • Significant cost reduction
  • Lower material costs
  • Payback period for higher invest less than one year estimated
  • Higher performance
  • Less environmental impact and a contribution to a more circular economy

The team of PV2+ is currently working on the commercialization of its innovation. In the medium term, it plans to offer solar cell manufacturers the following products and services: process-implementation, optimization and maintenance, as well as licensing.

Get to know the minds behind PV2+

The Team

Dr. Markus Glatthaar

Dr. Markus Glatthaar

CEO
about
Dr. Katharina Franziska Braig

Dr. Katharina Franziska Braig, LL.M.

COO/CFO
about
Dr. Leonard Tutsch

Dr. Leonard Tutsch

CTO
about
Dr. Thibaud Hatt

Dr. Thibaud Hatt

CTO
about

Our Mentors

Professor Dr. Stefan Glunz

Professor Dr. Stefan Glunz

Professor Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, Freiburg, Germany

Dr. Christian Peter

Dr. Christian Peter

Managing Director Solarlab Aiko Europe GmbH, Freiburg, Germany

Partners and Sponsors

PV2plus wird im Rahmen des EXIST-Programms durch das Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz und des Europäischen Sozialfonds gefördert.

PV2+ is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection and the European Social Fund as part of the EXIST program.

Further partners and sponsors:

Frauenhofer ISE
Leistungszentrum Nachhaltigkeit Freiburg
AHEAD
axel - die Energie-Accelerator
Smart Green
EIT Raw Materials
Microsoft

Awards and Competitions

Science4Life Ideenphase
Science4Life Konzeptphase
KIGI Finalist
Science4Life Energy Cup (2nd)
SolarPowerEurope Finalist
Finalist CyberOne
MakeItMatter
Raw Materials Forum - Top Presenter

PV2+ in the press

May 24, 2023

Startup-Meldungen für eine bessere Zukunft (German only)

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May 24, 2023

Kupfer statt Silber im Einsatz: Innovative Idee für die Energiewende (German only)

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May 21, 2023

Wie Freiburger Forscher Silber in der Solarzellenherstellung ersetzen (German only)

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May 20, 2023

Damit die Solarindustrie nicht stockt (German only)

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Get in touch with PV2+

PV2+ GmbH

Fraunhofer ISE
Heidenhofstr. 2
79110 Freiburg

Germany

Phone +49 761 4588-2461
Email: info@pv2plus.com