- Number 294 |
- August 31, 2009
Unique research tool aims to reduce PV cost
Department of Energy Assistant
Secretary for Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy Cathy Zoi
learns about NREL’s new PV
processing platform during a
recent visit.
Thin film photovoltaics made with semiconducting inks promise to revolutionize the solar energy industry with flexible modules that can be integrated into roofs, windows and walls of any structure. DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory has a unique new Atmospheric Processing Platform that enables scientists and industry to collaborate on efficient ways to commercialize the process.
To fulfill their promise and become commercially successful, thin film manufacturing costs must be significantly reduced. The uniquely configured platform enables NREL scientists to work directly with industry partners to test novel designs and manufacturing methods using precise digital printing technologies under controlled conditions.
It allows collaborative research teams to isolate important steps in the thin-film manufacturing process and look for ways to refine or accelerate those steps with the intent of reducing the cost of the finished solar cell.
"There is no other laboratory platform quite like it in the world," senior scientist Maikel van Hest says.[Joe Verrengia, 303.275.3891,
joe.verrengia@nrel.gov]
