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Photovoltaic cell and module status assessment. Volume 1. Technology overview. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6748238
The current technology status of the wide variety of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules is assessed using data published through late summer 1981. The view taken in the assessment is that the path of development from research concept through intermediate stages, such as prototype development, to routine production is characterized by an increasing definition of physical form, function, performance and cost. At this time conversion efficiency, eta, is the most important measure of technical status in each of the development stages. Efficiency is used in this study as the primary comparative indicator. Over at least the near term, flat-plate modules based on silicon PV cells will dominate commercial availability due to the extensive industrial experience with silicon and the emphasis placed on this material in the Federal program. Both silicon and gallium arsenide-based cells with dominate concentrator module development and demonstration efforts. Many other materials and innovative device designs are being pursued, but much remains to be done to bring efficiency and stability up to the levels demonstrated in the silicon and gallium arsenide devices for use in either flat-plate or concentrator modules. An overview is given of current PV cell and module status.
Research Organization:
Research Triangle Inst., Research Triangle Park, NC (USA)
OSTI ID:
6748238
Report Number(s):
EPRI-AP-2473-Vol.1; ON: DE83900567
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
AMORPHOUS STATE
CADMIUM SULFIDE SOLAR CELLS
CASCADE SOLAR CELLS
CONCENTRATOR SOLAR CELLS
CRYSTALS
CURRENT DENSITY
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DOCUMENT TYPES
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
EQUIPMENT
FILL FACTORS
GALLIUM ARSENIDE SOLAR CELLS
JUNCTIONS
MONOCRYSTALS
P-N JUNCTIONS
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
POLYCRYSTALS
REVIEWS
SEMICONDUCTOR JUNCTIONS
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
STABILITY
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT