Title :
Crystalline silicon photovoltaic cell technology: meeting the challenge for utility power
Author_Institution :
Sandia Nat. Lab., Albuquerque, NM, USA
Abstract :
The author discusses recent progress in US crystalline silicon photovoltaic cell technology for both one-sun and concentrating applications. The progress in crystalline silicon technology has manifested itself in improved efficiency and in lower costs of processing and production. Experience over the past eight years with large systems representative of utility-scale applications has been good. It is suggested that there now appear to be several choices within the crystalline silicon technology path that have excellent potential to meet the necessary cost for entry into the utility market. The status of the current research efforts and the direction of the US Department of Energy sponsored crystalline silicon research program are discussed.
Keywords :
elemental semiconductors; research initiatives; silicon; solar cells; Si solar cells; USA; costs; crystalline PV cells; efficiency; elemental semiconductors; research; technology; utility power; Costs; Crystalline materials; Crystallization; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic systems; Power generation; Production; Silicon; Solar power generation; US Department of Energy;
Conference_Titel :
Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1988., Conference Record of the Twentieth IEEE
Conference_Location :
Las Vegas, NV, USA
DOI :
10.1109/PVSC.1988.105731