Short Summary
Non-vacuum Thin-film Photovoltaics Processes
Chris Eberspacher
99-31
EISG Project Title: Non-vacuum Thin-film Photovoltaics Processes
EISG Grant Number: 99-31
PIER Area: Renewable Energy Technologies
Principal Investigator: Chris Eberspacher
Contact Information: (805) 987-7258 unisun@aol.com
Organization: Unisun
Grant Amount: $75,000
Grant Term: 7 Months
Project Description:
The purpose of this project is to research the feasibility of a low cost alternative to the capital intensive vacuum techniques used to deposit thin coatings of photoactive materials in the manufacture of thin film PV. The proposed process involves depositing thin layers of particulate precursor materials and sintering the layers into high-quality PV films.
Proposed Outcomes:
· Material deposition equipment that meets performance specifications.
· Application technique that yields +/- 10% thickness uniformity, > 40% packing density, and > 85% materials use efficiency
· Prototypes of thin film PV capable of 12% efficiency as single .5 cm2 cells and 8% efficiency as 5 cm2 integrated modules.
· Feasibility assessment based on prototype performance testing.
Anticipated Benefits:
· Reduce projected manufacturing cost by 50% relative to vacuum-based thin-film PV technologies while maintaining efficiencies of 8% in modules.
· Accelerate the commercialization and market penetration of thin-film CIGS PV products.