Polycrystalline silicon study. Low-cost silicon refining technology prospects and semiconductor-grade polycrystalline silicon availability through 1988
Photovoltaic arrays that convert solar energy into electrical energy can become a cost-effective bulk energy generation alternative, provided that an adequate supply of low-cost materials is available. One of the key requirements for economic photovoltaic cells is reasonably priced silicon. At present, the photovoltaic industry is dependent upon polycrystalline silicon refined by the Siemens process primarily for integrated circuits, power devices, and discrete semiconductor devices. This dependency is expected to continue until the DOE-sponsored low-cost silicon refining technology developments have matured to the point where they are in commercial use. The photovoltaic industry can then develop its own source of supply. Since 1979 the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Technology Development and Application Lead Center (TD and A), now the Program Analysis and Integration Center (PA and I), has periodically examined the availability of refined silicon and the status of the DOE-sponsored low-cost silicon refining technology developments. Three reports have been published, based on surveys conducted by JPL consultants in 1979, 1981, and 1983. This report updates the silicon material availability and market pricing projections through 1988, based on data collected early in 1984. It also overviews the silicon refining industry plans to meet the increasing demands of the semiconductor device and photovoltaic product industries. A section of the report has been devoted to review of the DOE-sponsored technology research for producing low-cost polycrystalline silicon, probabilistic cost analysis for the two most promising production processes for achieving the DOE cost goals, and the impacts of the DOE photovoltaics program silicon refining research upon the commercial polycrystalline silicon refining industry.
- Research Organization:
- Jet Propulsion Lab., Pasadena, CA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AI01-76ET20356
- OSTI ID:
- 6477566
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ET/20356-17; JPL-PUB-84-41; ON: DE85000327
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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