Development of the Spherical Silicon Solar Cell

A unique photovoltaic/electrochemical solar energy conversion/storage system utilizing silicon spheres as the individual photovoltaic elements is being developed at Texas Instruments. A new technology has been developed to produce high-purity single-crystal silicon spheres at high throughput rates. The spherical geometry offers several advantages including high crystal growth rate, simplified in-process material flow, and excellent silicon material utilization. The silicon sphere production process is discussed and the device efficiency status and goals are presented.