SBIR Phase I: Electrochemical Method to Fabricate Flexible Solar Cells

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目提出了一种新的低成本电化学制造方法，以生产基于商业上重要的铜铟二硒（CIS）薄膜的柔性光伏电池。该项目将开发一种创新的n-CIS太阳能电池，具有更少的组件和加工步骤。该电池将建造在柔性箔上，以减少重量，脆弱性和系统平衡成本。该项目还开发了一种新的卷对卷电沉积技术，用于大批量生产。第一阶段将在金属箔上合成CIS薄膜并构建n/p异质结器件。它将评估太阳能电池的性能，以验证概念。所提出的n-CIS太阳能电池配置及其制造是专门设计的，以简化制造，降低成本和提高生产速度。它将避免目前p-CIS技术的复杂性、费用、安全性和规模扩大问题。它的商业化将为国家不断升级的能源和环境问题提供及时的解决方案。它将避免未来的电力危机并有助于减少全球变暖。铜铟二硒化技术的应用范围从电力公司到卫星。柔性、轻质的光伏电池可用于非公用事业应用，例如电动车辆、建筑集成、移动的系统和新的空间系统。更低的成本、更少的部件和更容易的制造可以转化为更广泛的商业市场。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project proposes a new low cost electro- chemical fabrication method to produce flexible photovoltaic cells based on the commercially important copper indium diselenide (CIS) films. The project will develop an innovative n-CIS solar cell with fewer components and processing steps. The cell will be constructed on a flexible foil to reduce weight, fragility and balance-of-system costs. The project also develops a new roll-to-roll electrodeposition technology for large volume manufacturing. Phase I will synthesize CIS films and construct n/p heterojunction devices on metal foils. It will evaluate the solar cell performance to validate the concepts. The proposed n-CIS solar cell configuration and its fabrication are specially designed to simplify manufacturing, reduce costs and increase production speed. It will circumvent the complexity, expense, safety and scale-up issues of the present p-CIS technology. Its commercialization will provide a timely solution to the nation's escalating energy and environmental problems. It will avert future power crises and help reduce global warming.Applications for the copper indium diselenide technology range from the electric utility to satellites. Flexible, lightweight, photovoltaic cells may be used in non-utility applications such as electric vehicles, building integration, mobile systems and new space systems. Lower costs, fewer components and easier manufacturing could translate into a wider spectrum of commercial markets.