Ubiquitous Solar: Novel solar energy devices and systems costing less than $1/W

太阳能正在彻底改变我们在世界各地生产和分配能源的方式。这项研究将培养快速发展的太阳能行业和对太阳能的需求所需的熟练人才，促进有效的知识转移，满足加拿大现有和未来行业的就业需求。*拟议的研究将开发新的太阳能电池和系统设计，能够分流1-50%的光伏(PV)电池(2/5预算)*在任何光伏系统中，太阳能电池效率提高10%通常会产生20%的投资回报，从而降低电力成本。实现高效率的最有效途径是采用多结太阳能电池结构。将对三种设计方法(晶片键合、光谱分离和机械堆叠)进行评估，以获得比目前最好的器件更高的性能。有可能实际实现50%能效的选项将成为原型。*Stream 2-下一代集中式光伏系统(2/5预算)*集中器光学元件将大片区域的阳光聚焦到小型光伏电池上。我们将研究、设计和表征集成Stream 1新型高效电池的新型聚光器系统。我们将开发包含常规平板电池的新型混合系统，以补充在直接正常光照间歇性或持续低照度的地区或条件下的集中式系统。这些设计有可能产生任何可用的系统中每峰值功率最高的年度能量。*集成了光伏和存储(1/5预算)的Stream 3纳米格栅*纳米格栅是小型受管本地系统(交流或直流)，独立运行或简化与电网的连接。它们可以包括太阳能电池和本地存储(电池、电池和电容器)，以确保在停电或低日照期间持续备份。我们将最大限度地提高太阳能在电网中的比例，优化光伏机组，使其与电网和存储系统顺利运行。这将包括向通常需要电源适配器的电子设备(例如计算机)直接直流供电的选项。*

Solar power is revolutionizing the way we generate and distribute energy around the world. This research will develop the skilled personnel necessary for the rapidly expanding solar industry and demand for solar power, promoting effective knowledge transfer and filling employment needs of existing and future Canadian industry.***The proposed research will develop new solar cell and system designs capable of Stream 1 - 50% EFFICIENT PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) CELLS (2/5 budget)***In any PV system, a 10% increase in solar cell efficiency typically yields a 20% higher return on investment, reducing the cost of electricity. The most effective path to high efficiencies is with a multi-junction solar cell structure. Three design approaches (wafer bonding, spectral splitting, and mechanical stacking) will be evaluated for performance higher than the best devices presently available. Options with the potential to realistically achieve 50% efficiency will be prototyped.***Stream 2 - NEXT GENERATION CONCENTRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS (2/5 budget)***Concentrator optics focus large areas of sunlight onto small PV cells. We will study, design and characterise new concentrator systems which integrate the novel higher efficiency cells of Stream 1. We will develop new hybrid systems incorporating regular flat panel cells to complement the concentrated system in regions or conditions where direct normal illumination is intermittent or consistently low. These designs offer the potential to yield the highest yearly energy per peak-power of any system available.***Stream 3 - NANOGRIDS INTEGRATING PHOTOVOLTAICS AND STORAGE (1/5 budget)***Nanogrids are small managed local systems (AC or DC) that operate separately or simplify connection to the grid. They can include solar cells and local storage (batteries,  capacitors) to ensure continuous back-up during power cuts or low-sunlight periods. We will maximize the proportion of solar power possible on the grid, optimizing the PV units to work smoothly with the grid and storage systems. This will include options for direct DC supply to electronics (e.g., computers) that normally require power adapters.*** **