SERI'S Photovoltaic R and D Project: Recent Progress and Future Directions

摘要

Photovoltaic (PV) research efforts at the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) focus on developing improved generations of photovoltaic technologies having the potential for low cost, high performance, and long-term reliability. The new PV technology generations are thin-film single-junction and multijunction devices suitable for either flat-plate or concentrator systems, and advanced crystalling silicon sheet materials. Improvements in materials and processing, solar cell design, and cell fabrication techniques have led to remarkable progress for these new generations of photovoltaic devices leading to record cell efficiencies in nearly all material areas. Current research identified the criticality of source material purity and the device processing conditions for a number of different PV materials. Furthermore, attention to total device design and processing helped to realize greater understanding of metallic contacts, transparent conductors, and interlayers. The development of sophisticated models enabled quick assessment of device concepts. Another characteristic of current research directions is increased collaboration among PV experts. Enhanced measurement and characterization techniques, along with interaction among PV scientists, are adding to a strong scientific foundation for the photovoltaic future. 2 refs., 9 figs., 3 tabs. (ERA citation 13:017980)