FuturaSun and TNO Join Forces to Boost Solar Cell Efficiency
Delft, Friday, 9 May 2025.
FuturaSun partners with TNO to enhance bifacial n-type silicon solar cells, aiming to integrate the technology into Silk Nova modules for improved efficiency in solar energy systems.
Strategic Partnership Formation
In a significant development for solar technology innovation, Italian solar module manufacturer FuturaSun has established a strategic partnership with The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) on May 8, 2025 [1]. The collaboration, announced at this year’s Intersolar event, focuses on advancing the design of bifacial n-type silicon solar cells, which will be integrated into FuturaSun’s Silk Nova solar modules [1][3].
Technical Innovations and Goals
The partnership aims to achieve multiple technological breakthroughs in solar cell development. According to FuturaSun’s CTO Gianluca Coletti, the collaboration’s roadmap includes improving front passivation, implementing passivated contact technology, and reducing silver content in cell production [1]. A key objective is the eventual replacement of silver with copper contacts, demonstrating the partnership’s commitment to both efficiency and sustainability [1].
Future-Ready Technology
The joint development effort is particularly noteworthy for its forward-thinking approach. The technology being developed is specifically designed to be ‘tandem ready,’ allowing for future integration with perovskite and other advanced solar technologies [1]. This initiative aligns with FuturaSun’s broader strategy of vertical expansion in the upstream market, as confirmed by company statements [1]. The collaboration also includes the development of PolyZebra back-contact devices in partnership with ISC Konstanz, which will serve as the foundation for future bottom-cell tandem architecture [1].