- Email: [email protected]
Kyocera boosts PV production
NEWS Or contact: Daihen Corporation, 2-1-11 Tagawa, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka 532-8512, Japan. Tel: +81 6 6301 1212, Fax: +81 6 6304 7154, www.daihen.co.jp
Low-cost electrodeposition of II-VI solar cells Researchers at Sheffield Hallam University, UK have developed a low-cost semiconductor production method. Electrodeposition has less reliance on expensive semiconductor materials, and via the identification of alternative solar cell devices and manufacturing techniques, promises higher conversion efficiencies. The research was led by Dr I.M. Dharmadasa, who says: ‘We’ve already applied for two patents and are preparing the final draft of the third patent in connection with our work, but there’s a lot more science to be explored that could increase conversion efficiencies to over 20% in the near future’. The research initiative, ‘Low-cost, highefficiency thin-film solar cells with electrodeposited semiconductors’, received initial funding of £104 600 (US$163 000) from the UK’s Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council, and follow-up funding of £140 000 ($218 000) from Sheffield Hallam University. In the past, a limited understanding of the scientific principles underlying PV meant that average solar cell efficiencies only improved from 15.9% to 16.5% between 1992 and 2001 for cadmium telluride based solar cells. By formulating a new model to describe the PV activity of these solar cells, the Sheffield Hallam team has significantly improved this understanding and produced devices with 18% efficiency. This has opened up the prospect of new solar cells being developed commercially with higher conversion efficiencies than those currently available. Via the application of the model, the Sheffield Hallam team have been able to fabricate a structure with a Schottky barrier rather than an ohmic contact. As a result the PV cell exhibits an efficiency of about 18%. Dharmadasa is working on a device that will offer 20% efficiency. The electrochemical deposition (or ‘electrodeposition’) method is one of the more promising techniques. Its main features include: •
Low-temperature growth compared with vacuum techniques. Scalability for large-area solar module production. Self-purification capability. It is an in situ process of the fabrication of electrodeposited tandem cell structures.
• • •
6
Photovoltaics Bulletin
The work, which will be presented at the world’s largest solar cells conference, the 3rd World PV Conference in Japan in May, is progressing well in terms of the R&D plan, as well as being well received in the PV community. The team is now seeking to attract an industrial partner so that the process can be further developed for commercialization. Contact: Dr I.M. Dharmadasa, School of Science & Mathematics, Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK. Tel: +44 114 225 4067, Email: [email protected], www.shu.ac.uk/ schools/sci/teaching/as1/SCResearch.html
Sharp Solar appointments The Solar Systems Division of Sharp Electronics Corporation has appointed Matthew Lugar as Manager of Sales and John Hardwick as Manager of Training. They will be based in Huntington Beach, California. Lugar will be responsible for the division’s sales efforts, including business plan development and product marketing, reporting to Ron Kenedi, the division’s General Manager. Hardwick will be responsible for managing the training program, including curriculum development and contractors and sales network training, reporting to Arthur Rudin, the division’s Director of Engineering.
UK traffic goes solar The first solar-powered road traffic signs in the UK have been installed in Swansea and Newport, according to a report in the local newspaper, The Western Mail. The signs were developed and supplied by SolarGen Solutions of Newport, and because they recharge during daylight, they do not require any external power supply. Ken Bird, MD of SolarGen Solutions, told the newspaper that, ‘Our unique solar solutions can be applied to just about every public lighting requirement. These motorway and road signs for example meet all regulatory standards and are also very durable, require very little maintenance and therefore are a very cost-effective solution. Our solution is often less expensive than traditional connected lights. There also extra benefit of no running costs and, with the longevity of the very latest LED technology, saving on replacement bulb costs.’ In the north-east of England, villagers in Northumberland are benefiting from solarpowered street lights supplied by SolarGen Solutions. The electricity supply in the village of Wark, near Morpeth, is not adequate for conventional lights. But with solar-powered
lights the problem has been solved. Part of a pilot scheme, the local council plans to install more solar powered lights where feasible. However, a drawback is that the light produced is not as bright as conventional streetlights. Contact: Solargen Solutions Ltd, East Bank Road, Felnex Trading Estate, Newport, South Wales NP19 4PP, UK. Tel: +44 1633 281900, Fax: +44 1633 281994, www.solargen.biz
Kyocera boosts PV production Kyocera Corporation says it will increase production capacity for PV cells by about 40% to 100 000 kW per annum by the end of 2004, from its present production of 72 000 kW. The company is responding to increasing demand in its home market in Japan as well as abroad. It is increasing production at its factory in Yokaichi, Shiga Prefecture, as well as setting up a joint venture in Tianjin, China for lowercost assembly of panels. This will begin production in October, with an ultimate capacity of 10 000 kW next year. Meanwhile, Kyocera has released two new models of solar panels. The smaller model will go on sale June 2, while the other – for tiled roofs – will follow on October 1. The company is aiming for combined sales of 11 000 units by the end of March 2004. Contact: Kyocera Corporation, 6 Takeda Tobadonocho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 612-8501, Japan. Tel: +81 75 604 3500, Fax: +81 75 604 3501, www.kyocera.co.jp
Itochu takes 12% stake In Photonic Power Itochu Corporation in Japan has taken an equity stake in California-based Photonic Power Systems. The Japanese trading company acquired a 12% interest for US$500 000, to become Photonic Power’s third-largest shareholder. At the same time, Itochu inked a contract making it a general sales agent in Japan for PV power converters developed by Photonic Power. It will sell the devices to equipment manufacturers, and is targeting ¥10bn ($85m) in sales in three years. It will also oversee sales in China and other parts of Asia. Contact: Itochu Corporation, 4-1-3, Kyutaromachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 541-8577, Japan. Tel: +81 6 6241 2121, Fax: +81 6 6241 3220, www.itochu.co.jp Or contact: Photonic Power Systems Inc, 19925 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Cupertino, CA 950142305, USA. Tel: +1 408 725 7597, Fax: +1 408 973 7205, www.photonicpower.com
May 2003
Low-cost electrodeposition of II-VI solar cells Researchers at Sheffield Hallam University, UK have developed a low-cost semiconductor production method. Electrodeposition has less reliance on expensive semiconductor materials, and via the identification of alternative solar cell devices and manufacturing techniques, promises higher conversion efficiencies. The research was led by Dr I.M. Dharmadasa, who says: ‘We’ve already applied for two patents and are preparing the final draft of the third patent in connection with our work, but there’s a lot more science to be explored that could increase conversion efficiencies to over 20% in the near future’. The research initiative, ‘Low-cost, highefficiency thin-film solar cells with electrodeposited semiconductors’, received initial funding of £104 600 (US$163 000) from the UK’s Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council, and follow-up funding of £140 000 ($218 000) from Sheffield Hallam University. In the past, a limited understanding of the scientific principles underlying PV meant that average solar cell efficiencies only improved from 15.9% to 16.5% between 1992 and 2001 for cadmium telluride based solar cells. By formulating a new model to describe the PV activity of these solar cells, the Sheffield Hallam team has significantly improved this understanding and produced devices with 18% efficiency. This has opened up the prospect of new solar cells being developed commercially with higher conversion efficiencies than those currently available. Via the application of the model, the Sheffield Hallam team have been able to fabricate a structure with a Schottky barrier rather than an ohmic contact. As a result the PV cell exhibits an efficiency of about 18%. Dharmadasa is working on a device that will offer 20% efficiency. The electrochemical deposition (or ‘electrodeposition’) method is one of the more promising techniques. Its main features include: •
Low-temperature growth compared with vacuum techniques. Scalability for large-area solar module production. Self-purification capability. It is an in situ process of the fabrication of electrodeposited tandem cell structures.
• • •
6
Photovoltaics Bulletin
The work, which will be presented at the world’s largest solar cells conference, the 3rd World PV Conference in Japan in May, is progressing well in terms of the R&D plan, as well as being well received in the PV community. The team is now seeking to attract an industrial partner so that the process can be further developed for commercialization. Contact: Dr I.M. Dharmadasa, School of Science & Mathematics, Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK. Tel: +44 114 225 4067, Email: [email protected], www.shu.ac.uk/ schools/sci/teaching/as1/SCResearch.html
Sharp Solar appointments The Solar Systems Division of Sharp Electronics Corporation has appointed Matthew Lugar as Manager of Sales and John Hardwick as Manager of Training. They will be based in Huntington Beach, California. Lugar will be responsible for the division’s sales efforts, including business plan development and product marketing, reporting to Ron Kenedi, the division’s General Manager. Hardwick will be responsible for managing the training program, including curriculum development and contractors and sales network training, reporting to Arthur Rudin, the division’s Director of Engineering.
UK traffic goes solar The first solar-powered road traffic signs in the UK have been installed in Swansea and Newport, according to a report in the local newspaper, The Western Mail. The signs were developed and supplied by SolarGen Solutions of Newport, and because they recharge during daylight, they do not require any external power supply. Ken Bird, MD of SolarGen Solutions, told the newspaper that, ‘Our unique solar solutions can be applied to just about every public lighting requirement. These motorway and road signs for example meet all regulatory standards and are also very durable, require very little maintenance and therefore are a very cost-effective solution. Our solution is often less expensive than traditional connected lights. There also extra benefit of no running costs and, with the longevity of the very latest LED technology, saving on replacement bulb costs.’ In the north-east of England, villagers in Northumberland are benefiting from solarpowered street lights supplied by SolarGen Solutions. The electricity supply in the village of Wark, near Morpeth, is not adequate for conventional lights. But with solar-powered
lights the problem has been solved. Part of a pilot scheme, the local council plans to install more solar powered lights where feasible. However, a drawback is that the light produced is not as bright as conventional streetlights. Contact: Solargen Solutions Ltd, East Bank Road, Felnex Trading Estate, Newport, South Wales NP19 4PP, UK. Tel: +44 1633 281900, Fax: +44 1633 281994, www.solargen.biz
Kyocera boosts PV production Kyocera Corporation says it will increase production capacity for PV cells by about 40% to 100 000 kW per annum by the end of 2004, from its present production of 72 000 kW. The company is responding to increasing demand in its home market in Japan as well as abroad. It is increasing production at its factory in Yokaichi, Shiga Prefecture, as well as setting up a joint venture in Tianjin, China for lowercost assembly of panels. This will begin production in October, with an ultimate capacity of 10 000 kW next year. Meanwhile, Kyocera has released two new models of solar panels. The smaller model will go on sale June 2, while the other – for tiled roofs – will follow on October 1. The company is aiming for combined sales of 11 000 units by the end of March 2004. Contact: Kyocera Corporation, 6 Takeda Tobadonocho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 612-8501, Japan. Tel: +81 75 604 3500, Fax: +81 75 604 3501, www.kyocera.co.jp
Itochu takes 12% stake In Photonic Power Itochu Corporation in Japan has taken an equity stake in California-based Photonic Power Systems. The Japanese trading company acquired a 12% interest for US$500 000, to become Photonic Power’s third-largest shareholder. At the same time, Itochu inked a contract making it a general sales agent in Japan for PV power converters developed by Photonic Power. It will sell the devices to equipment manufacturers, and is targeting ¥10bn ($85m) in sales in three years. It will also oversee sales in China and other parts of Asia. Contact: Itochu Corporation, 4-1-3, Kyutaromachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 541-8577, Japan. Tel: +81 6 6241 2121, Fax: +81 6 6241 3220, www.itochu.co.jp Or contact: Photonic Power Systems Inc, 19925 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Cupertino, CA 950142305, USA. Tel: +1 408 725 7597, Fax: +1 408 973 7205, www.photonicpower.com
May 2003