imec was launched in 1984 in Leuven, Belgium.

The founders were a group of visionary young researchers, some of whom had studied and worked in Silicon Valley and were inspired by the revolution they had witnessed there. Their effort to create an electronics superlab and spearhead a new industrial revolution in Flanders was backed by generous funding from the regional Flemish government.

Imec is well known for its microchip technology. Beyond this, Imec also contributes to a sustainable future by developing technologies such as speciality photovoltaic cells and modules, more efficient processes for converting energy into valuable molecules such as green hydrogen, power-efficient micro-sized power electronics, and self-learning algorithms for balancing our power use and creating a smart power grid.

The demand for customised photovoltaic system solutions is growing to integrate solar energy into the future energy network on a large scale. To develop, test and implement such solutions, imec bundles its expertise in EnergyVille in integrating additional functionalities in the PV module with the knowledge of the other parties involved.

Imec will contribute using its expertise in Si module fabrication, energy yield modelling and passivation technologies within the SITA project. Imec will fabricate Si mini modules for the tandem cells using shingling and multi-wire technology. For the CIGS top module, dielectric passivation layers deposited using ALD will be investigated. The energy yield model will predict the performance of the tandem module and compare it with outdoor measurements. It will provide a feedback loop and what-ifs scenarios for SITA’s tandem technology.