Morphorm Advances Engineering Simulations for Solar PV Technology with DOE Support

Morphorm, with support from the Department of Energy (DOE), is developing advanced semiconductor device simulation capabilities to address critical challenges in the solar energy industry, including improving cell efficiency, reducing silver usage, and enhancing metal contact reliability. These factors are among the most pressing engineering hurdles in photovoltaic (PV) technology today. Morphorm’s software will optimize the metal contacts of solar cells to simultaneously maximize current collection - enhancing efficiency - while minimizing metal usage to lower manufacturing costs and mitigating mechanical stress caused by excess heat.

Over the past decade, global electricity generation from renewable energy sources, particularly solar, has outpaced that of fossil fuels. According to the Solar Futures Study, this expansion must accelerate significantly to meet the U.S. Department of Energy’s decarbonization targets. To achieve 95% decarbonization of the U.S. electrical grid by 2035, an estimated 900 GW of additional photovoltaic installations will be required [1]. While this transition presents vast opportunities, it also introduces significant technological challenges.

Advancements in PV technology have driven rapid growth, yet the industry faces persistent cost pressures and the demand for higher efficiency cells and modules. To remain competitive, manufacturers must continuously innovate with new materials, designs, and manufacturing processes - a dynamic environment that complicates rigorous reliability assessments. New PV materials and architectures may introduce unforeseen degradation mechanisms and failure modes that traditional reliability testing struggles to diagnose and model.

At the same time, expectations for PV module longevity are increasing. The DOE aims to extend module service life from 30 to 50 years [2], with degradation rates reduced to below 0.4% per year - compared to the current 0.5 to 0.6% per year [3]. This places immense pressure on manufacturers to develop robust predictive models for long-term reliability and degradation mitigation.

Morphorm’s advanced simulation technology will accelerate the discovery of degradation-tolerant PV modules, enhancing their ability to withstand extreme weather conditions. By improving module resilience, this technology will help mitigate power degradation risks in severe climates, reducing financial uncertainties for utility-scale and distributed PV projects. In turn, this could encourage insurers to reinstate damage coverage for utility-scale PV installations, expanding solar deployment in high-risk regions.

This initiative aligns with Morphorm’s mission to introduce cutting-edge multiphysics engineering simulation solutions to the market. Specifically, the project focuses on developing a unique semiconductor device simulation platform, enabling precise predictions of PV module performance, reliability, and stability. The software will leverage GPU acceleration to power computationally intensive multiphysics simulations, significantly enhancing efficiency and scalability.

"We are honored to receive support from the Department of Energy’s Small Business Innovation Research Program," said Miguel Aguilo, Founder and CEO of Morphorm. "This initiative will drive critical advancements in PV technology - enhancing efficiency, the most crucial metric for manufacturers; reducing metal usage for sustainable production; and improving long-term reliability to support a 50-year operational lifetime - an essential consideration for PV project developers and field owners."

This partnership with the DOE marks a significant milestone in Morphorm’s expansion, reinforcing its leadership in engineering simulation and solidifying its role in shaping the future of solar energy technology.

References

1. National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL) (2021). The Solar Futures Study. Barnes, Teresa (2024). DuraMAT FY 2023 Annual Report: Toward Reliability Forecasting.

2. Deline, C., Muller, M., Deceglie, M., Jordan, D., Anderson, K., Simpson, L., ... & White, R. (2020). PV fleet performance data initiative (March 2020 methodology report) (No. NREL/TP-5K00-76687). National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States).

3. Jordan, D. C., Kurtz, S. R., VanSant, K., & Newmiller, J. (2016). Compendium of photovoltaic degradation rates. Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, 24(7), 978-989.

About Morphorm

Morphorm® is an emerging leader in engineering simulation and modeling technologies. Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Morphorm is advancing state-of-the-art optimization and simulation technologies to drive product innovation in clean energy, semiconductors, and defense. The company’s pioneering real-time design solutions are setting new industry benchmarks in performance and efficiency. To learn more, visit www.morphorm.com.

CONTACT: info@morphorm.com 

SOURCE: Morphorm