High-Efficiency Amorphous Silicon Alloy Based Solar Cells and Modules; Final Technical Progress Report, 30 May 2002--31 May 2005
The principal objective of this R&D program is to expand, enhance, and accelerate knowledge and capabilities for development of high-efficiency hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) and amorphous silicon-germanium alloy (a-SiGe:H) related thin-film multijunction solar cells and modules with low manufacturing cost and high reliability. Our strategy has been to use the spectrum-splitting triple-junction structure, a-Si:H/a-SiGe:H/a-SiGe:H, to improve solar cell and module efficiency, stability, and throughput of production. The methodology used to achieve the objectives included: (1) explore the highest stable efficiency using the triple-junction structure deposited using RF glow discharge at a low rate, (2) fabricate the devices at a high deposition rate for high throughput and low cost, and (3) develop an optimized recipe using the R&D batch large-area reactor to help the design and optimization of the roll-to-roll production machines. For short-term goals, we have worked on the improvement of a-Si:H and a-SiGe:H alloy solar cells. a-Si:H and a-SiGe:H are the foundation of current a-Si:H based thin-film photovoltaic technology. Any improvement in cell efficiency, throughput, and cost reduction will immediately improve operation efficiency of our manufacturing plant, allowing us to further expand our production capacity.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-99-GO10337
- OSTI ID:
- 15020803
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/SR-520-38728; ZDJ-2-30630-19; TRN: US200521%%384
- Resource Relation:
- Related Information: Work performed by United Solar Ovonic Corporation, Troy, Michigan
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ALLOYS
CAPACITY
DEPOSITION
DESIGN
EFFICIENCY
GLOW DISCHARGES
MANUFACTURING
OPTIMIZATION
PRODUCTION
PROGRESS REPORT
RELIABILITY
SILICON
SILICON ALLOYS
SOLAR CELLS
STABILITY
PV
HIGH-EFFICIENCY
AMORPHOUS SILICON
MODULE
THIN-FILM
TRIPLE JUNCTION
GLOW DISCHARGE
Solar Energy - Photovoltaics