news digest ♦ Solar
Figure: Scanning electron microscope, cross-sectional image showing the various compounds of a new chalcopyrite solar cell only a few microns thick, which can be created much less expensively with inkjet printing. (Image courtesy of Oregon State University)
One of the most promising compounds and the focus of the current study is called chalcopyrite, or CIGS for the copper, indium, gallium and selenium elements of which it’s composed. CIGS has extraordinary solar efficiency – a layer of chalcopyrite one or two microns thick has the ability to capture the energy from photons about as efficiently as a 50 µm layer made with silicon.
In the new findings, researchers were able to create an ink that could print chalcopyrite onto substrates with an inkjet approach, with a power conversion efficiency of about 5 %. The OSU researchers say that with continued research they should be able to achieve an efficiency of about 12 %, which would make a commercially viable solar cell.
In related work, being done in collaboration with Greg Herman, from the OSU chemical engineering department, the engineers are studying other compounds that might also be used with inkjet technology, and cost even less.
Some approaches to producing solar cells are time consuming, or require expensive vacuum systems or toxic chemicals. OSU experts are working to eliminate some of those roadblocks and create much less costly solar technology that is also more environmentally friendly. New jobs and industries in the Pacific Northwest could evolve from such initiatives, they say.
The scientists have also said that if costs can be reduced enough and other hurdles breached, it might even be possible to create solar cells that could be built directly into roofing materials, opening a huge new potential for solar energy.
“In summary, a simple, fast, and direct-write, solution-based deposition process is developed for the fabrication of high quality CIGS solar cells,” the researchers wrote in their conclusion. “Safe, cheap, and air-stable inks can be prepared easily by controlling the composition of low-cost metal salt precursors at a molecular level.”
78
www.compoundsemiconductor.net July 2011
This work was supported by the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, the U.S. Department of Energy and OSU’s University Venture Development Fund, which helps donors receive tax benefits while sponsoring projects that will bring new technology, jobs and economic growth to Oregon.
China’s Guodian orders Aixtron tool for CPV solar cells
The 12x4-inch AIX 2600G3 IC reactor will be used for research and development.
Aixtron SE has an order from a new Chinese customer, Guodian International Economics & Trade Co. for an MOCVD system.
The contract is for one AIX 2600G3 IC reactor in a 12x4-inch configuration which will be dedicated to materials research for concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) solar cells.
Guodian placed the order in the fourth quarter of 2010 and the system will be delivered in the second quarter of 2011. The local Aixtron support team will install and commission the new reactor in a new clean-room at the GD Solar (JiangSu) Co., Ltd., Research Group.
Hong Song, Director of Solar Research Institute at Guodian, comments, “We look forward to the arrival of this powerful new addition to our capabilities in our research for high efficiency CPV solar cells. Already we have been shown how straightforward it is to achieve the requisite uniformity and run-to-run productivity characteristics with the AIX 2600G3 IC reactor.”
“It has become one of the most popular equipments of this type within the CPV industry and will serve us well for many years. Our technical team already has considerable experience with the Aixtron Planetary Reactor technology. They will work well together with the specialist company support staff so I am sure the system will not be long in making a strong contribution to our efforts.”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104