IBM's Thin Film Solar Cell Contender

 

One of the challenges of producing thin film solar panels lies in the materials used. Unlike rigid polycrystalline modules and monocrystalline solar panels that utilise silicon, a commonly occurring substance, thin film solar cells incorporate copper indium gallium selenide or cadmium telluride. 
   
Indium, gallium and cadmium are very costly due to scarcity and cadmium is a heavy metal that potentially poses hazards to human health and the wider environment.
   
IBM announced last week it has constructed a thin film solar cell made entirely of readily-available elements and furthermore, says it has set a new world record for efficiency for thin film solar cells using the same materials.
   
Comprised of copper (Cu), tin (Sn), zinc (Zn), sulfur (S), and/or selenium (Se), the solar cells demonstrates a conversion efficiency of 9.6 percent, which the company says is 40 percent higher than the value previously achieved for this set of materials. The material class is known as kesterites, materials with a crystal structure very similar to that of chalcopyrites.
   
The solar cell was created using a combination of solution and nanoparticle-based approaches instead of the common and more expensive vacuum-based technique. IBM states that along with the cheaper materials, the different manufacturing process is expected to enable much lower fabrication costs, as it is consistent with high-throughput and high materials utilization based deposition techniques including printing, dip and spray coating and slit casting.
   
IBM says it does not plan to manufacture solar panels, but is open to partnering with solar cell manufacturers to demonstrate the technology.
 

SunPower Announces SunRay Acquisition

 

SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB) announced on Friday it will acquire SunRay Renewable Energy, a leading European solar farm developer.
  
When the transaction is finalised, SunPower will acquire solar photovoltaic (PV) projects exceeding 1,200 megawatts (MW) in Italy, France, Israel, Spain, the United Kingdom and Greece that are currently in SunRay's pipeline.
.  
SunPower says its acquisition is consistent with the company's long-term company strategy to develop a strong brand and complements its European engineering, procurement and construction business.
  
SunRay is the company behind largest solar photovoltaic based power generation plant financed in 2009, the 24 MW Montalto power plant in Italy, which was constructed using SunPower solar panels.
  
"SunRay has a strong pipeline in Italy, with several power plants already permitted for delivery in 2010," said Gian Maria Ferrero, vice president of SunPower's Europe, Middle East and Africa utilities and power plants business unit. "Italy has demonstrated sustainable, strong growth in both rooftop and ground-mounted solar systems, bringing new jobs to the market and private investment into new power resources without the need for major new transmission investment."
   
The total value for the acquisition is approximately USD$ 277 million, including $235 million in cash and $42 million in a letter of credit and promissory notes. SunPower says it has sufficient cash to close the transaction and does not intend to raise equity capital to finance the acquisition. 
   
SunPower delivers high-efficiency solar power solutions for residential and commercial applications. Sunpower solar panels are up to 50% more efficient than competitor brands with a small footprint offering more more solar power with less space required.
  

News for Friday 12 February, 2010

 

• Honda's Solar Powered Hydrogen Fuel Station
  

View all news for Friday 12 February, 2010 on one page

Recent News

 

• Thursday 11 February, 2010
  


• Wednesday 10 February, 2010
  


• Tuesday 09 February, 2010
  


• Monday 08 February, 2010
  


• Friday 05 February, 2010
  

News archive