Japan 80μm silicon solar cell conversion efficiency reached 15.9%

Japan Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology Research Center, solar power generation solar cell technology in meeting "the outcome of the 5th report" (June 22, 2009 ~ 23) announced that the use of 80 ~ 100μm thickness of the thin silicon wafer manufacturing monocrystalline silicon solar cell energy conversion efficiency reached 15.9 ~ 17.3%.

The electrode unit using screen printing as well as the "sintering process on both sides at the same time," produced. 2cm square, 100μm thick silicon unit generating capacity, the efficiency of 17.3%, open voltage of 0.617V, short-circuit current for 35.5mA/cm2, FF was 0.789. 2cm square, 80μm thick, the efficiency of units 15.9%, open voltage of 0.614V, short-circuit current for 32.8mA/cm2, FF was 0.792.

The view was expressed that the original, if the thickness of silicon wafers to the current level of conversion efficiency will be significantly decreased, but the center by improving the processing based on the convex surface of the light sealing technology and processes, to ensure a high conversion efficiency. Which, 100μm thick solar cell conversion efficiency and capacity of the Research Institute for 180μm thick compared the conversion efficiency of solar cells very little.

Research Institute of the middle class also, 100μm thick polysilicon-based modules to achieve the initial conversion efficiency of the numerical prediction, that is, about 15%. The crystalline silicon Sakata team Gong said, "As the poly-silicon wafer, such as containing the grain boundary, so in comparison with single crystal silicon, thin and more difficult to achieve."

Tens of μm of the silicon wafer under normal circumstances easily broken, inappropriate handling. In order to solve this problem, Nissan Research Institute "in Germany has also developed a 30μm thick wafer handling device, so there is no problem handling."

Jun. 25, 2009

U.S. Department of Energy announces investment in clean energy

News June 19, the U.S. Department of Energy Secretary-General said Steven Chu, the U.S. government millions of dollars of investment for energy efficiency and solar technology. This week, said Steven Chu, the investment will focus on energy-efficient vehicles, solar energy projects and personnel training in three specific areas. First of all, energy-efficient vehicles, to focus on trucks and passenger cars, 50 percent focus on improving the efficiency of the truck and the vehicle efficiency of 25%.

"There is great potential for new employment opportunities, and use existing technology to reduce carbon pollution, such as improving energy efficiency and wind, but we also need to change the development of new solutions." He said. These funds will also benefit from 24 solar energy projects, focusing on photovoltaic research and to reduce costs, as well as carbon capture of the nine research projects. Carbon capture technologies have the potential for future pollution-free power generation. Another aspect of the plan calls for 27 million U.S. dollars for the training of technical personnel to install solar and other green posts talents, such as marketing and manufacturing.

Jun. 21, 2009