Solar energy—Photovoltaics
Solar energy—Photovoltaics
generation, occupies efforts to increase
the majority of com-
“Going forward, as
the cell efficiency are
They say a picture
mercial application ever more rigorous
space, amounting to manufacturing capacity and vigorous. The
speaks 1,000 words
more than 85% of
continues to increase
scale effect, coupled
market. In thin film, with the antici-
there are a basket and production pated technological
of technologies,
techniques improve,
advancements, will
involving various move the solar-cell-
compound semi- the expanded scale generated electricity
conductor materi-
als, namely, CdTe,
and enhanced
toward grid parity.
When the tech-
CuIndi-Se, as well as
manufacturability will
nology can offer the
amorphous-Si, using
CVD processes
drive the cost down.”
cost with grid par-
ity or closer to that,
and other deposi- photovoltaic solar
tion techniques. energy will become
Additionally, the an essential part of
crystalline silicon thin film on a metallic mainstream electricity in everyone’s life.
Video brings it to life
substrate is another technological approach The winning technology is the one that
in an effort to maximize the cell efficiency. can deliver the desired economics. The
Thick film technology typically requires world is longing for the winning technol-
thick silicon wafer (250 µm - 120 µm) ogy and product leadership. In that, it is
that makes up a significant material cost. not an exaggeration to say that the product
However, when the silicon wafer is made delivering grid-parity performance will sell
too thin, problems during the subsequent by itself.
screen-printing and firing process may The global race for an economically
occur. For thin film technology, there are viable technology is on.
also application concerns and technology
challenges, such as photon absorption
efficiency; In, Ga, Te supplies; Cd toxicity;
Dr. Jennie S. Hwang has been inducted
sputtering quality; and thin film long-term
to the WIT International Hall of Fame,
reliability.
elected to the National Academy of
Currently, thick film technology can
Engineering and named an R&D-Stars-
achieve 13-19% cell efficiency, and the
Tune into GST Video
to-Watch (Industry Week). Dr. Hwang
typical thin film solar cell efficiency is
has extensive experience in global market
News for the latest
around 6-9%. Shockley derived a theo-
and international business in her execu-
retical efficiency limit of 32% under the
tive capacities with corporate America solar manufacturing
assumptions of a single-junction semicon-
and entrepreneurial businesses. She is a
ductor structure and a single electron-hole
member of the U.S. Commerce Depart-
news and trade show
pair created for each absorbed photon.
ment’s Export Council, and serves on the
Technologies that can capture more sun-
coverage, brought to
board of Fortune 500 NYSE companies
light per unit area, convert sunlight into
and civic and university boards. Among
life
more free electrons, avoid annihilation of
others, she has served on National
electrons and holes in the structure, reduce
Research Council’s “Globalization
efficiency-limiting defects in cell material,
Committee” and “ Forecasting Emerging,
and utilize multi-junction cells are obvious
Disruptive Technologies Committee.”
tactics to achieve an increased efficiency.
Her education includes Ph.D., M.S.,
M.A. and B.S. degrees in engineering
cost vs. grid parity
and sciences, respectively, and Harvard
The cost as gauged by the power output by
Business School Executive Program. An
manufacturers in $/W or by energy use in
author of 300+ publications, she is also
the end market in $/kwh has been exceed-
a worldwide speaker on trade, technology,
ingly higher than the conventional electric
business, education, and social issues.
grid. This cost issue, including the upfront
Tel: (216) 839-1000;
system installation expenses, has been the
E-mail: JennieHwang@aol.com.
primary impediment to the adoption of
www.JennieHwang.com
http://globalsolartech.blip.tv
photovoltaics for decades.
Going forward, as manufacturing capac-
ity continues to increase and production
techniques improve, the expanded scale
and enhanced manufacturability will drive
the cost down. Technologically, the global
www.globalsolartechnology.com Global Solar Technology – November/December 2008 – 25
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