news review 65% Efficient Solar Cells on the Horizon
Nanowire Solar Cell Research has been awarded €1.2million by the Dutch Government with a project targeted to help meet electricity demand in Southern Europe and North Africa. Researchers at the University of Eindhoven (TU) are trying to develop solar cells with an efficiency of over 65% using nanotechnology. In Southern Europe and North Africa these new solar cells could generate a substantial portion of the European demand for electricity. The Dutch government has reserved €1.2 million for the research.
An agency of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, will grant the €1.2 million to researchers Jos Haverkort, Erik Bakkers and Geert Verbong for their research into nanowire solar cells. It is their expectation that, when combined with mirror systems, these solar cells can generate a sizeable portion of the European electricity demand in Southern Europe and North Africa.
Current III/V thin-film solar cells have an efficiency of around 40%, but they are very expensive and can only be applied as solar panels on satellites. By using mirror systems that focus one thousand times they can now also be deployed on earth in a cost-effective manner.
The TU/ researchers expect that in ten years their nano-structured solar cells will attain an efficiency of more than 65%. Scientist, Jos Haverkort said “If the Netherlands wants to timely participate in a commercial
exploitation of nanowire solar cells, there is a great urgency to get on board now.”
The research is conducted together with Philips MiPlaza. They think that nanotechnology, in combination with the use of concentrated sunlight through mirror systems, has the potential to lead to the world’s most efficient solar cell system with a cost price lower than 50 cent per Watt peak. In comparison: for the present
generation of solar cells that cost price is €1.50 per Watt peak.
Nanowires make it possible to stack a number of subcells (junctions). In this process each subcell converts one colorof sunlight optimally to electricity. The highest yield reported until now in a nanowire solar cell is 8.4%. Haverkort commented, “We expect that a protective shell around the nanowires is the critical step towards attaining the same efficiency with nanowire solar cells as with thin-film cells.” Haverkort thinks that at 5 to 10 junctions he will arrive at an efficiency of 65%.
Furthermore, the researchers expect considerable savings can be made on production costs, because the rapid growth of nanowires on a cheap silicon substrate results in a lower cost of ownership of the growth equipment. Also, the combination of the mirror systems with nanotechnology will imply an acceptable use of the scarce and hence expensive metals such as gallium and indium.
EpiWorks demonstrates 6” CPV capability
EpiWorks Aixtron 2600 G3 reactor used in the first step towards producing low-cost solar cells with the highest conversion efficiency.
EpiWorks, a developer and manufacturer of compound semiconductor epitaxial wafers has announced a major milestone in the development of technology to address the concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) market.
The firm has demonstrated a 6-inch, compound semiconductor PV wafer capability that is the first step in establishing the infrastructure and capability required to produce low-cost solar cells with the highest conversion efficiency. Such devices are desired by the industry.
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www.compoundsemiconductor.net July 2010
David Ahmari, EVP of Business Development at EpiWorks commented “We are a manufacturer with an established track record supporting the wireless industry with volume production, but over the past several years we have also established a strong solar cell capability. As we have done with our wireless customers, EpiWorks is excited to push the industry technology roadmap while establishing this critical part of the PV wafer production supply chain.”
He continued, “To ensure rapid and successful adoption of this CPV technology, EpiWorks is working closely with key partners, including a US-based semiconductor manufacturer listed on the NASDAQ.”
DelSolar shows its Power with Tolerance up to 3%
Latest series include excellent power performance in low lighting conditions and attractive black modules for residential roofs.
DelSolar, a subsidiary of Delta Electronics exhibited its high efficiency solar modules with a positive power tolerance of up to 3% at ‘Intersolar 2010’. The solar modules are claimed to feature excellent power performance even in low light intensity conditions.
In addition, DelSolar is marketing a new series of black modules with black-anodized aluminium frames. The dark appearance of the black module model is very aesthetically attractive and may be blended elegantly into a variety of residential roofs.
DelSolar employs highly automated module production lines and inline inspection systems including electroluminescence (EL) to reduce the risk of cell microcracks, improve cell encapsulation, and assure consistent module quality and reliability. The resulting high production quality is supported by DelSolar’s 5 year product warranty and performance guarantee of 90% for 10 years and 80% for 25 years respectively.
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