STTR Phase II: Low-cost Nanostructured Anti-reflection Coatings for Solar Energy Applications

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）二期项目建议优化和展示纳米结构抗反射涂层（arc）的规模，以满足太阳能客户的规格，使用高性能工艺以及新型液相合成和沉积微反应器。第一阶段和工业合作伙伴的研究结果表明，纳米结构ARC的光学性能远远超过现有的工业解决方案，在宽波长范围内具有低反射率。智能的优点并不局限于单一的发现，而是一系列的突破将使这种低成本，工业兼容的ARC解决方案满足太阳能行业对提高效率的需求。这是通过利用纳米结构的特性来实现的，当光波通过涂层结构（即梯度表面）时，折射率会发生增量变化，以及一种环保、低成本的微反应器技术，该技术可以与现有的工业工艺相结合。该项目的广泛影响/商业潜力涉及玻璃和太阳能组件制造商的竞争优势，这也将推动政府对低成本太阳能的倡议。正在开发的抗反射涂层的重点是通过提供一种低成本的方法来减少太阳能组件的光反射，从而提高太阳能组件的效率。国际光伏技术路线图（ITRPV）要求在2013年将前端组件反射从4%减少到2%，到2017年将从2%减少到0.5%。拟议的ARC可以将前表面反射从4%（裸玻璃）减少到0.5%以下，比ITRPV路线图提前五年。到达太阳能电池的光的增加将提高电力输出并降低系统平衡（BOS）成本。这种性能和成本优势在太阳能组件价值链中创造了重要的商业机会。这项创新有潜力利用2011年46亿美元的薄膜光伏（PV）市场，其产量预计到2016年将以30%的年增长率增长。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project proposes to optimize and demonstrate the scale-up of nanostructured anti-reflective coatings (ARCs) to meet the specifications of solar energy customers using high-performance processes along with a novel solution-phase synthesis and deposition microreactor. Results from Phase I and industrial partner input demonstrate that the nanostructured ARC has an optical performance that far exceeds existing industry solutions, with a low reflectance across a broad wavelength spectrum. The intellectual merits are not limited to a single discovery, but a series of breakthroughs will will allow this low-cost, industry-compatible ARC solution to satisfy the solar industry's need for increasing efficiency. This is accomplished by leveraging the nanostructure's properties of incremental change in the refractive index as light waves pass through the coating structure (i.e. gradient surfaces) and an environmentally benign, low-cost microreactor technology that can be integrated with existing industry processes.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project concerns an enabling competitive advantage for glass and solar module manufacturers, which will also drive government initiatives for low-cost solar energy. The anti-reflective coating being developed focuses on increasing solar module efficiency by providing a low-cost method to reduce light reflection from solar modules. The International Technology Roadmap for PV (ITRPV) calls for a reduction in front-side module reflection from 4% to 2% in 2013 and reduction from 2% to 0.5% by 2017. The proposed ARC can reduce front surface reflection from 4% (bare glass) to less than 0.5%, beating the ITRPV roadmap by five years. The increase in light reaching the solar cells will enhance electricity output and decrease balance-of-system (BOS) costs. This performance and cost advantage creates significant commercial opportunities in the solar module value chain. This innovation has the potential to capitalize on the estimated 2011 $4.6 billion thin-film photovoltaic (PV) market, for which production is expected to grow at a 30% annual rate through 2016.