Technology

Most solar cells are made of silicon. Extensive materials expertise is required to purify, crystallize and process silicon before solar cells can be made from it.

• Hydro has high-level materials expertise and experience gained in the industrialization of new technology.
• We benefit from our project execution experience. 
• We combine our concentration on solar technology with our aluminium building systems experience. This provides us with smart, building solutions for the future.
• Expertise and financial muscle make Hydro an attractive partner on many projects involving technology upgrades and commercialization.

Through its brands Technal, Wicona and Domal, Hydro is a major European supplier of  energy-efficient facade solutions and building systems in Europe. Along with Ascent, one of the solar companies that we are involved, we are developing solutions aimed at integrating  solar energy systems into Hydro’s facade solutions.

Ascent manufactures its thin film solar cells by a process in which copper, indium, gallium and selenide (CIGS) are layered on a flexible plastic foil which is then encapsulated in a protective material. The result is that the cells are flexible, enabling application to rolled or uneven surfaces, in addition to more conventional uses. This makes Ascent’s solutions eminently suitable for use in buildings.