Osazda Energy develops MetZilla Paste and Plate Technologies to enhance the durability of solar cells by enabling self-healing of cell cracks, which are a major cause of long-term performance degradation. This technology allows for the use of thinner, cost-effective solar panels in various applications, ultimately increasing energy output and reducing operational costs.
Funding
$1.1M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
UDFounders
Product
Problem
Thinner solar cells are more susceptible to cracking from environmental stressors, leading to performance degradation and reduced energy output over time. Cell cracking and delamination are major causes of solar panel degradation, increasing the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) and hindering the adoption of solar energy. Current solutions do not adequately address the long-term performance issues caused by cell fractures, especially in increasingly thin solar panel designs.
Solution
Osazda Energy provides materials engineering solutions that enhance solar cell durability by enabling self-healing of cell cracks. Their MetZilla Paste Technology and MetZilla Plate Technology utilize metal matrix composites with nanomaterials to electrically bridge stress-induced cracks, restoring electrical continuity and preventing further degradation. MetZilla Paste Technology is a drop-in replacement screen-printed metallization system for terrestrial solar panels, while MetZilla Plate Technology offers a cost-saving electroplated metallization approach for high-efficiency solar cells used in space and UAV applications. By incorporating these technologies, solar panels can maintain performance and extend their lifespan, reducing LCOE and improving the overall cost-effectiveness of solar energy.
Target Audience
The primary customers are solar panel manufacturers and integrators for terrestrial, space, and UAV applications seeking to improve the durability and longevity of their products.
Features
- MetZilla Paste Technology: Industry-standard ink modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes for crack tolerance in terrestrial solar panels.
- MetZilla Plate Technology: Cost-effective electroplated metallization process for high-efficiency solar cells used in space and UAV applications.
- Electrically bridges stress-induced cracks in solar cells, enabling self-healing and restoring electrical continuity.
- Increases crack tolerance in thinner solar cells, preventing performance degradation from environmental stressors.
- Extends the lifespan of solar panels, reducing the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE).
- Compatible with various solar cell applications, including terrestrial, space, and UAV.