Focus on innovations - key to Lithuanian PV cluster competitiveness Dr.Juras Ulbikas Perspektyvinių technologijų taikomųjų tyrimų institutas

History: Established in 2008. 2011 Launch of production facilities for solar cells and modules 2014 Launch of open RTD infrastructure of PV cluster Industry focused RTD services (testing, measurements) and industrial scale research 2018 New phase of expansion Focus on new generation PV products (specialized RTD infrastructure)

Market dynamics in 10 years frame 2008: PV market growth ~30%/year, highly profitable Cluster strategy: to introduce new manufacturing sector in LT and supporting RTD infrastructure 2018: PV market growth ~30%/year, low profit, dominated by China producers Cluster strategy: to focus on profitable market niches with highly innovative products

Innovations flow to manufacturing during 10 years frame Technology upgrades: 1. step: Standard technologies: Al-BSF solar cell technology and 3bussbar module 2. step: PERC solar cell technology and glass-glass module technology 3. step: IBC solar cell technology and multi- bussbar/IBC module technology (ongoing) 4.step: new solar converters technologies (Perovskites) and tandem modules (low TRL RTD developments)

Standard Al-BSF products portfolio SOLITEK: Solar Cells mcSi Al-BSF technology (SINGULUS) SOLET: PV modules: 3bussbar glass/backsheet (3S) Technology provided by equipment suppliers: Solar Cells: SINGULUS (Germany) PV modules: 3S (Swiss)

Pilot R&D Tool Linea SSE 400 1st upgrade: PERC cell (implemented) SOLITEK: industrial scale experimental equipment (joint development with equipment manfacturer – SINGULUS) Pilot R&D Tool Linea SSE 400

2nd upgrade: IBC solar cell (ongoing) Technology approaching theoretic limits for Si solar cells performance SOLITEK collaboration with ISC Konstanz (GE) and investor VALOE (FI)

Pilot R&D Tool Linea SSE 400 3rd upgrade: tandem cell (future) MET (Modern e-technologies): Next step in solar energy: combining mainstream Si technology and most effective thin film technology (PEROVSKITE, CIGS, etc) Pilot R&D Tool Linea SSE 400

Innovations in market approach Large scale installations: Special coatings + module level power electronics = competitive solution for hot climate Smart electronics improving O&M (operation and maintenance) Bifacial + one axis tracking = competitive solution in north EU areas Small scale: Tailor made PV systems with smart electronics for BIPV and other applications

BIPV and Ind4.0: attractive solution to the all actors along value chain

Products from Lithuania BIPV façade solution BIPV roof solutions BIPV for agriculture Smart sustainable lighting

Conclusions: Innovations – main driving force ensuring Lithuanian PV sector sustainability. Due to smart strategy Lithuanian PV sector surviving and expanding in very competitive PV world