Award-Winning Etching Process Cuts Solar Cell Costs (Fact Sheet)
NREL scientists have invented the 'black silicon' nanocatalytic wet-chemical etch, an inexpensive, one-step process that literally turns the solar cells black, allowing them to absorb more than 98% of incident sunlight. The process costs just a few cents per watt of solar-cell power-producing capacity. Increases in manufactured cell efficiencies of up to 0.8% are possible because of the reduced reflectance of black silicon. This would reduce silicon solar module costs by $5-$10 per module.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Solar Energy Techologies Program
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308
- OSTI ID:
- 1090151
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/FS-6A42-59020
- Resource Relation:
- Related Information: Innovation Impact: Solar Manufacturing, NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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