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Advances in amorphous silicon photovoltaic technology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

D. E. Carlson ,
K. Rajan ,
R. R. Arya ,
F. Willing  and
L. Yang
D. E. Carlson
Affiliation:
Solarex, a Business Unit of Amoco/Enron Solar, 826 Newtown-Yardley Road, Newtown, Pennsylvania 18940
K. Rajan
Affiliation:
Solarex, a Business Unit of Amoco/Enron Solar, 826 Newtown-Yardley Road, Newtown, Pennsylvania 18940
R. R. Arya
Affiliation:
Solarex, a Business Unit of Amoco/Enron Solar, 826 Newtown-Yardley Road, Newtown, Pennsylvania 18940
F. Willing
Affiliation:
Solarex, a Business Unit of Amoco/Enron Solar, 826 Newtown-Yardley Road, Newtown, Pennsylvania 18940
L. Yang
Affiliation:
Solarex, a Business Unit of Amoco/Enron Solar, 826 Newtown-Yardley Road, Newtown, Pennsylvania 18940
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Abstract

With the advent of new multijunction thin film solar cells, amorphous silicon photovoltaic technology is undergoing a commercial revival with about 30 megawatts of annual capacity coming on-line in the next year. These new a−Si multijunction modules should exhibit stabilized conversion efficiencies on the order of 8%, and efficiencies over 10% may be obtained in the next several years. The improved performance results from the development of amorphous and microcrystalline silicon alloy films with improved optoelectronic properties and from the development of more efficient device structures. Moreover, the manufacturing costs for these multijunction modules using the new large-scale plants should be on the order of $1 per peak watt. These modules may find widespread use in solar farms, photovoltaic roofing, as well as in traditional remote applications.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 13 , Issue 10 , October 1998 , pp. 2754 - 2762
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1998

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