AIR: Next Generation CdTe Photovoltaic Technology

拟议的研究将加强CdTe光伏创新生态系统。CdTe光伏现在在许多应用中都是经济可行的，适合千兆瓦级的实施。该项目将利用CSU最先进的沉积系统来追求两种不同的途径来获得更高效率的制造型电池：(1)采用Cd1-xMgxTe电子反射层的新器件结构来提高电压，以减少电子重组；(2)通过结合等离子体活性氧来实现更大带隙cd层的更高电流。该项目将开发新的半导体合金、新的加工方法、新的缺陷钝化方法和新的器件结构。同时，将详细了解先进器件的缺陷、接口和器件物理。最重要的广泛影响是全球清洁能源的生产规模达到前所未有的水平。这将为美国经济带来重大利益，并将在美国创造数千个高薪工作岗位。它建立在CdTe光伏产业的成功基础上，该产业目前具有美国光伏技术中最低的成本结构和最大的产量。它还建立在PI的技术转让经验基础上，PI是比比皆是太阳能公司的联合创始人，该公司已发展到370名员工，目前的产能为65兆瓦/年，近期目标为200兆瓦/年。该项目还将为光伏行业提供训练有素的学生，该行业正在迅速发展，需要高技能的劳动力。科罗拉多州立大学的光伏培训方式以团队为基础：来自不同学科的学生彼此密切合作，与来自工业界的工程师合作，在许多情况下与其他大学的学生合作。

The proposed research will strengthen the CdTe PV innovation ecosystem. CdTe PV is now economically viable in many applications and suitable for gigawattscale implementation. The project will utilize CSU's state-of-the-art deposition system to pursue two separate routes to higher-efficiency manufacturing-friendly cells: (1) higher voltage from a new device structure that employs a Cd1-xMgxTe electron-reflector layer to reduce electron recombination, and (2) higher current with a larger band-gap CdS layer achieved by the incorporation of plasma activated oxygen species. The project will develop novel semiconductor alloys, novel processing methods, novel defect-passivation approaches, and novel device structures. At the same time, detailed understanding of the defects, interfaces, and the device physics of the advanced devices will be developed. The most significant broader impact is the production of clean energy globally on an unprecedented scale. This will provide a major benefit for the U.S. economy and will create thousands of well-paying jobs in the U.S. It builds on the success of the CdTe PV industry, which now has the lowest cost-structure and largest production of any U.S. PV technology. . It also builds on the technology-transfer experience of the PI, co-founder of Abound Solar which has grown to 370 employees with current manufacturing at 65 MW/Yr and a near term target of 200 MW/Yr. This project will also provide well-trained students for the photovoltaic industry, which is growing rapidly and requires a highly skilled workforce. The PV-training approach at CSU is strongly team based: students from different disciplines work closely with each other, with engineers from industry, and in many cases with students at other universities.