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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Preparation of thin films for solar energy utilization

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5924889
Thin film deposition techniques have made and are making a significant contribution to solar energy utilization. Commercial applications of thin films include photothermal selective absorbers formed by electroplating, chemical conversion and vacuum processing; solar reflectors formed by vacuum processes; heat reflectors formed by vacuum processes and spray pyrolysis; antireflection coatings formed by vacuum processes and chemical leaching and the metallization of photovoltaic cells. CdS/Cu/sub 2/S photovoltaics formed by vacuum processes and spray pyrolysis are also close to commercial utilization. Principle concerns in thin films applications include economics of fabrication and environmental stability of the thin film materials. At the present time, for many applications the best and most economical film deposition technology is not yet defined. One of the major problems with thin film evaluation is the lack of acceptable testing procedures particularly as related to lifetime. Research and development is continuing in the application of sophisticated thin films to photovoltaic conversion and other applications. The status of thin films in solar energy utilization is reviewed.
Research Organization:
Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-04-0789
OSTI ID:
5924889
Report Number(s):
SAND-79-1754C; CONF-791013-2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English