Solar Cells Info

source:
http://www.azonano.com/news.asp?newsID=3015

Building on more than two years of collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), HelioVolt announced it will extend the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) for research carried out at NREL’s facilities to include the development of non-vacuum nanomaterial-based deposition processes optimized for HelioVolt’s proprietary FASST (TM) manufacturing technology. The fastest and most efficient way to manufacture thin-film CIGS photovoltaics, FASST (TM) was recently honored with a Nano 50(TM) Award from Nanotech Briefs, a leading nanotechnology magazine from the publishers of NASA Tech Briefs. Judged by an independent panel of nanotechnology and MEMS experts, the Nano 50 award recognizes HelioVolt’s process for its significant near-term impact on the market as well as the field of nanotechnology.

HelioVolt is enabling new paths to solar energy marketability by building on its knowledge of the unique characteristics of the Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) material system. As described most accurately so far in a model published by Dr. B.J. Stanbery, HelioVolt’s founder, when made under the proper conditions CIGS spontaneously arranges itself at the nanoscale to create a percolation network that drastically reduces losses, making the material the most efficient and reliable thin-film for photovoltaics. By taking maximum advantage of this, HelioVolt’s flexible FASST (TM) process can be used under both vacuum and atmospheric conditions to print photovoltaic material directly onto traditional construction materials including architectural glass, steel, roofing and polymers in 80 to 98 percent less time than conventional processes. Under the terms of the CRADA, HelioVolt will work with NREL to optimize both conventional vacuum and pioneering non-vacuum deposition processes for FASST (TM) manufacturing environments.

Ascent Solar and PermaCity Solar to Develop New Photovoltaic Systems for the Terrestrial MarketLITTLETON, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTI) (BSX:AKC) and PermaCity Solar announced today that they have begun co-development of a new suite of photovoltaic (PV) products and systems for the growing terrestrial market that includes large commercial buildings, master planned communities, vertical high rise structures, and residential homes. Combining the existing customer base and system engineering and integration expertise of PermaCity Solar with the flexible, thin-film module manufacturing expertise of Ascent Solar, the venture aims to deliver PV systems that offer significant performance and cost advantages over existing silicon-based solutions.

Ascent Solar’s large, roll format modules should provide inherent cost and system integration advantages over the small, fragile, bulky and rigid silicon modules in use today. The Ascent Solar thin-film PV on plastic with laser-patterned cell integration allows modules to be automatically sized in custom fashion to the unique requirements of each customer’s design needs. Analysis of a recent 600 kW silicon-based system installed by PermaCity Solar on a large commercial building suggests that the Ascent Solar module manufacturing technique may be able to provide as much as 35% more roof top coverage because silicon-based modules of today are routinely inhibited by ill-positioned roof obstructions like vent pipes, sky lights and HVAC equipment. PermaCity Solar and Ascent Solar plan to develop an integrated manufacturing technique that will link the PV system computer aided design (CAD) directly to the laser patterning control system in the factory to customize the size and shape of the modules for each unique installation.

Ascent Solar President and CEO Matthew Foster states, Our manufacturing processes produce product at the module level which completely eliminates the current back-end assembly of cells into modules and allows for made-to-order systems. We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with an industry expert such as PermaCity Solar and to be able to supply Building Integrated PV (BIPV) at the system level directly into the market. In addition to an established presence in the market, PermaCity Solar brings a much broader dimension to our module developments. Collectively, we have already begun to realize new and exciting capabilities and opportunities with our technology that we had not previously envisioned.”