Sun on a semiconductor

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · EPRI J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6567542

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) supports research on photovoltaic electric systems and believes that new technological developments to reduce manufacturing costs can make photovoltaic conversion economically feasible. Direct conversion to electricity, simple maintenance, the ability to use diffuse radiation, and its modular nature are the qualities that make a photovoltaic electric system attractive. The expense of growing high-purity silicon single crystals and the wastefulness of the processing technique must be corrected to make the costs competitive. DOE and EPRI programs differ in that government efforts are aimed at perfecting the conventional single-crystal approach, while EPRI's assessments set top priority on new materials and/or concepts. Among EPRI's programs are thermophotovoltaic conversion, thin-film research, and market research into appropriate applications and scale.

• OSTI ID: 6567542
• Journal Information: EPRI J.; (United States), Journal Name: EPRI J.; (United States) Vol. 3:2; ISSN EPRJD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
COMMERCIALIZATION
CONVERSION
COST
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY CONVERSION
EPRI
FABRICATION
MARKET
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERSION
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SEMIMETALS
SILICON
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
THERMOPHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERSION