AIR: Next Generation CdTe Photovoltaic Technology

拟议的研究将加强CdTe光伏创新生态系统。CdTe光伏在许多应用中具有经济可行性，适合千兆瓦规模的实施。该项目将利用科罗拉多州立大学最先进的沉积系统，追求两条独立的路线，以实现更高效率的制造友好型电池：（1）采用Cd 1-xMgxTe电子反射层的新器件结构的更高电压，以减少电子复合，以及（2）通过引入等离子体活化氧物质实现更大带隙CdS层的更高电流。该项目将开发新型半导体合金、新型加工方法、新型缺陷钝化方法和新型器件结构。与此同时，将详细了解先进器件的缺陷，接口和器件物理。最重要的更广泛的影响是全球清洁能源的生产规模空前。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。它建立在碲化镉光伏产业的成功基础上，该产业目前拥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的技术转让经验的基础上，PI是Abound Solar的联合创始人，Abound Solar已发展到370名员工，目前的生产能力为65 MW/年，近期目标为200 MW/年。该项目还将为光伏行业提供训练有素的学生，光伏行业正在迅速发展，需要高技能的劳动力。CSU的PV培训方法是基于团队的：来自不同学科的学生彼此密切合作，与行业工程师合作，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.