PhD Position Innovative Solar Module Design to Enhance Sustainability and Circularity

Do you want to help design and test circular PV modules?

PhD Position: Innovative Solar Module Design to Enhance Sustainability and Circularity

The intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC) predicts that the global temperature rise will significantly exceed 2°C, unless CO2 emissions are strongly reduced. Solar photovoltaics (PV) was identified by the IPCC as the technology with the highest potential among emission mitigation options. Scientific studies modelling energy scenarios for net zero emissions by 2050 project that a solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity of about 60 TWp needs to be installed within the next 25 years. To achieve this goal, the global installed PV capacity has already doubled from 1 TW to 2 TW in the past 2 years.

The current industrial standard photovoltaic (PV) module design, with its difficulty in recycling, has generated worldwide concerns regarding an estimated stream of 212 million tons of end-of-life PV modules. Thus, research into PV modules designed for circularity is urgently needed.

Research questions/aims:

This project aims to accelerate the development of novel liquid-filled circular PV modules, which can be repaired and recycled in a modular manner, similar to the Fairphone. The goal is to improve the new PV module design to achieve equivalent or even better performance and durability compared to existing PV modules, while training a group of young engineers in developing more circular PV modules to spark future innovations. In parallel, the research findings will be implemented in a PV start-up company such as Biosphere Solar to introduce the technology to consumers as soon as possible.

List of research goals:

• Experimental comparison of liquid encapsulated PV modules’ efficiency and reliability at least on the level of conventional PV modules.
• Demonstrating improved circularity (repairability, remanufacturing, recycling) of liquid encapsulated PV modules.
• Living lab tests of prototypes, providing insights into real-life operation conditions to verify energy yield.

Research methods:

An iterative design and testing cycle of developing improved prototypes and testing them in terms of performance, durability, repairability, and recyclability will be used. In-house lab tests according to IEC61215 standards will be supported by outdoor testing in a living laboratory. The results will be shared globally as part of Task 12 on PV Sustainability in the International Energy Agencies (IEA) Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) to increase the impact and reach of this project.

The program of the PVMD group builds up expertise in the design and fabrication technology from solar cells to PV systems with their power electronics and storage options. You will contribute to the PV & Circularity team in TU Delft’s PVMD group. This can form a strong basis for guiding policy on sustainable supply and use of PV materials as well as promoting actions on the circularity of PV materials and future technical development. This project is performed under the supervision of Dr. Malte Vogt.

The PVMD Group is part of the research in the Department of Electrical Sustainable Energy, which is inspired by the technical, scientific, and societal challenges originating from the transition towards a more sustainable society and focuses on four areas:

• DC Systems, Energy Conversion and Storage (DCE&S)
• Photovoltaic Materials and Devices (PVMD)
• Intelligent Electrical Power Grids (IEPG)
• High Voltage Technologies (HVT)

The Electrical Sustainable Energy Department provides expertise in each of these areas throughout the entire energy system chain. The department owns the large Electrical Sustainable Power (ESP) Laboratory, assembling High Voltage testing, DC Grids testing environment, and a large RTDS that is actively used for real-time simulation of future electrical power systems, AC and DC protection, and wide-area monitoring and protection.

Job Requirements

• Master's degree in physics, sustainable energy technology, material science, electrical engineering, or a related discipline.
• Passion for solar energy engineering and excellent team player.
• Domain knowledge of solar energy engineering, energy transition, material science, modelling and data analytics is a strong plus.
• Experience with PV module fabrication or testing is a plus.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both writing and speaking.
• Ability to work independently and self-driven in a multidisciplinary team.
• Very good command of English. The minimum requirement is a TOEFL score of 100 or IELTS of 7.0. Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis.

About TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world-class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile, we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Conditions of Employment

• Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts: an initial 1.5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months, followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.
• The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.