U.S.-Mexico Cooperative Research: Thin-Film Materials for Photovoltaics

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

9901383CompaanThis US-Mexico award will support Professor Alvin D. Compaan, of the University of Toledo, Ohio in a research collaboration with Professor Gerardo Contreras-Puente, of the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), Mexico in a three year study of thin-film materials for photovoltaics. The extensive research effort ranges from film growth and fabrication of devices, to characterization of optical-electronic properties of complex materials and electrical performance studies.This project will bring together experienced teams of researchers with complementary facilities in CdTe solar cells. Economic studies conclude that solar cells should last 20 to 30 years in an outdoor environment to be cost effective. Long term degradation in the field is a major challenge for the use of solar photovoltaics to provide the world with a sustainable source of energy. Results of this study should produce recommendations to the solar thin-film cell fabrication community for structural changes and processing improvements that will enable improved high temperature stability of cells and modules. This, in turn, will enhance the length of solar cell life and provide a more cost effective energy source.***