摘要:

Materials availability is one of the most important factors when we consider the mass-production of next generation photovoltaic devices. “In (indium)” is a vital element to produce high efficient thin film solar cells such as InP andCuIn(Ga)Se2but its lifetime as a natural resource is suggested to be of order of10∼15years. The lifetime of a specific natural resource as an element to produce useful device substances is directly related with its abundance in the earth’s crust, consumption rate and recycling rate (if recycling is economically meaningful). The chemical elements having long lifetime as a natural resource are those existing in the atmosphere such as N (nitrogen) and O (oxygen); the rich elements in the earth’s crust such as Si, Ca, Sr and Ba; the mass-used metals such as Fe (iron), Al (aluminum) and Cu (copper) that reached the stage of large-scale recycling. We here propose a new paradigm of semiconductor material-science for the future generation thin film solar cells in which only abundant chemical elements are used. It is important to remark that these abundant chemical elements are normally not toxic and are fairly friendly to the environment.&bgr;-FeSi2is composed of two most abundant and nontoxic chemical elements. This material is one of the most promising device materials for future generation energy devices (solar cells and thermoelectric device that is most efficient at temperature range of 700–900 °C). One should remind of the versatility of&bgr;-FeSi2that this material can be used not only as energy devices but also as photodetector, light emitting diode and/or laser diode at the wavelength of 1.5 &mgr;m that can be monolithically integrated on Si substrates due to the relatively small lattice mismatch. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.53463

出版商:AIP    

年代:1997

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

As new photovoltaic technologies are developed and then scaled up to high volume production, a number of issues such as toxicity, materials supply, yield management, rapid processing and characterization, equipment reliability, product performance and reliability, and marketing should be addressed in the commercialization plan. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.53441

出版商:AIP    

年代:1997

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

A mandatory requirement for the development of a large solar photovoltaic power industry is the development a thin silicon layer structure or a cheaper silicon feedstock that does not have the high purity requirements of the semiconductor wafer industry. In the latter case the solar grade silicon feedstock supplymustbe decoupled from the semiconductor silicon feedstock industry. If one of these these events do not occur, then solar energy will remain a small and specialized industry that will start to shrink as the world power grid capacity increases. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.53468

出版商:AIP    

年代:1997

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

This paper examines current photovoltaic test, measurement, and characterization techniques and makes evaluations and predictions of the next-generation technologies needed to meet the evolving requirements of photovoltaics. The range of support and research areas, from array through atomic-level analysis, are cited. The specific requirements of research and manufacturing sectors are addressed, including the need for more rapid response, new and photovoltaic-specific measurement techniques, manufacturing-environment measurement capabilities, and electronic-based centralized facilities. The integration and cohesion of analytical services with the evolving capabilities of the information highway are discussed and anticipated. To ensure the security of both intellectual and product property, the increased demands of protection of data are emphasized. Trends toward greater accuracy, precision, smaller- and larger-area analysis, and more-versatile measurement technologies are discussed. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.53456

出版商:AIP    

年代:1997

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The current cost of electricity generated by PV power is still extremely high with respect to power supplied by the utility grid, and there remain questions as to whether PV power can ever be competitive with electricity generated by fossil fuels. An objective approach to this important question was given in a previous paper by the authors which introduced analytical tools to define and project the technical/economic status of PV power from 1988 through the year 2010. In this paper, we apply these same tools to update the conclusions of our earlier study in the context of recent announcements by Amoco/Enron-Solarex of projected sales of PV power at rates significantly less than the US utility average. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.53464

出版商:AIP    

年代:1997

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The purposes of this paper are to elucidate the crucial importance of predicting the service lifetime (SLP) for new photovoltaic technologies (PV) modules and to present an outline for developing a SLP methodology for encapsulated PV cells and minimodules. Specific objectives are (a) to illustrate the essential need and generic nature of SLP for several types of existing solar energy conversion or conservation devices, (b) to elucidate the complexity associated with quantifying the durability of these devices, (c) to define and explain the seven major elements that constitute a generic SLP methodology, (d) to show that implementing the SLP methodology for developing laboratory-scale PV cells and minimodules can reduce the cost of technology development, and (e) to outline an acceptable methodology for relating accelerated life testing to real time testing, using sufficient sample numbers, and applying the methodology in (c) for predicting a service lifetime. The major conclusions are that predicting the service lifetime of PV cells and minimodules should be an essential part of the research and development for developing any future generation PV technology and that using the SLP methodology can be most cost-effectively applied to laboratory scale PV cells and minidevices. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.53465

出版商:AIP    

年代:1997

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The Department of Energy’s Office of Basic Energy Sciences has the responsibility to provide basic research support for the development of energy technologies and to plan, construct and operate special scientific user facilities. The role of the Office of Basic Energy Sciences in the support of innovative research with emphasis on photovoltaic technology-base work is described. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.53466

出版商:AIP    

年代:1997

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

In the short term, photovoltaics will probably continue to enjoy great success in niche markets and non-utility businesses, but see relatively little use within utilities. Deregulation is driving major restructuring of the electric-utility sector, causing great uncertainty among its planners and executives, and leading them to favor cost-cutting over other corporate strategies. However, the competitive motives at the root of that restructuring will ultimately induce resourceful utility executives to seek novelnon-commodityenergy-service businesses to sustain their companies’ success in the deregulated industry of the future. In that industry, technology innovation will play a very important role. Specifically, photovoltaics will be highly valued in light of its unsurpassed modularity, extreme siting ease, very low operation and maintenance costs,andpublic popularity. The eventual leaders in wielding that powerful technology likely will be among those who recognize those assets earliest and strive to bring its promises to reality through innovative applications. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.53467

出版商:AIP    

年代:1997

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

A logical approach to technology development which stresses the planning and interpretation of experiments useful for the design of commercial scale equipment is presented. The utility of the approach is illustrated by considering the design of a reactor to make copper indium diselenide. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.53469

出版商:AIP    

年代:1997

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

Through subcontracts, universities participate in near-term, mid-term, and long-term technology development in the National Photovoltaics Program of the U.S. Department of Energy. As noted in the DOE Program Plan for 1996–2000, universities’ expertise in fundamental science and in materials and device research adds immeasurably to the foundations of science, advancement of technology, and effectiveness of the National Program. However, recent budget cuts have affected university subcontract funding, principally for long-term technology development. Historically, universities funded by DOE concentrated on long-term research, specifically in two subcontract programs entitled “University Participation” and “New Ideas.” DOE intends to restart these highly successful programs. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.53440

出版商:AIP    

年代:1997

数据来源: AIP