Photovoltaic Thin Film Technology
- The direct
conversion of solar energy to electricity by
photovoltaic cells or thermal energy in concentrated
solar power systems is emerging as a leading
contender for next-generation green power
production.
- The photovoltaics
(PV) area is rapidly evolving based on new materials
and deposition approaches. At present, PV is
predominately based on crystalline and
polycrystalline Si and is growing at >40% per year
with production rapidly approaching 3 gigawatts/year
with PV installations supplying <1% of energy used
in the world.
- Increased cell
efficiency and reduced manufacturing expenses are
critical in achieving reasonable costs for PV and
solarthermal. CdTe thin-film solar cells have
reported a manufactured cost of $1.25/watt.
- There is also the
promise of increased efficiency by use of
multijunction cells or hybrid devices organized at
the nanoscale. This could lead to conversion
efficiencies of greater than 50%.
- Solar energy
conversion increasingly represents one of the
largest new businesses currently
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