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.”

Source: Small Times, NC
http://www.smalltimes.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?ARTICLE_ID=273331&p=109

By M. Paul Jackson, Winston-Salem Journal, N.C.

Sept. 29, 2006 — In a nondescript laboratory on Deacon Boulevard, scientists work to build machines that are smaller than the period at the end of this sentence.

The laboratory is part of the Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials at Wake Forest University, a program that is developing products such as flexible solar-energy panels, microscopic devices that can identify and attack diseases, and therapies for drug-resistant illnesses.

The products are created using nanotechnology, the science of developing materials on a molecular level. Through nanotechnology, scientists nationwide hope to create silicon chips, larger computer disk drives, medical devices and fabrics.

The Wake Forest center is leading the charge in the region’s bid to become a nanotechnology hub. Wake Forest’s nanotechnology center, created about three years ago, was awarded a multimillion-dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Defense in March to create “negative index” materials, or materials that can bend light, for example.

The center is also developing medical technologies that could help combat cancer, said David Carroll, the center’s director. The center is made up of about 15 research teams and 45 people, he said.

Last year, Wake Forest announced that it had developed flexible solar-energy cells that could convert about 6 percent of the light that hits them into electrical power. The center is also developing cells that will be able to convert even more amounts of sunlight into energy, allowing the center to compete with most manufacturers of solar-energy cells, Carroll said.

“I hope it means that Winston-Salem will be the center of the universe for solar power,” he said.

Developing more efficient, flexible-energy cells is “a major, major step for us,” he added. “It’s hard to overestimate this. The biggest industry in the world is energy.”

But developing a nanotech industry is easier said than done. Carroll said that one of the center’s major challenges is increasing the public awareness of the center.
“The community itself needs to pull together a little bit better to make ourselves known in a more cohesive way,” he said. The center is also attempting to create a nanotech business alliance that will help provide resources for local companies and help them expand.

Meanwhile, state officials said that they were confident that they could nurture the growing industry.

solarbuzz.com

As of October 2006, there are currently 176 solar module prices below US $4.75/Wp (€3.71/Wp) or 9.9% of the total sample. This compares with 178 prices below $4.75 per Watt in September.

The lowest retail price for a multi-crystalline solar module is $4.31/Wp (€3.36/Wp). This price is exhibited by a US dealer. The lowest retail price for a monocrystalline module is $4.42/Wp (€3.45Wp), from a US based dealer.

The lowest thin film module price is at $4.00/Wp (€3.12/Wp) per Watt from a German dealer. As a general rule, it is typical to expect thin film modules to be at a price discount to crystalline (for like module powers). The price differentials in this survey are presently consistent with that assertion, since the thin film module in question is 41 Wp, while the crystalline modules are high power 140-160 Wp models.

Ecobusiness link survey of prices of solar cell modules
http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/solar_panels.htm

$ 4.50 to 5 per Wp

RWE 250W panel /US$1000 per unit => $4.17 per watt
Sharp 170W panel – US$ 760$ per unit => $4.47 per watt
Kyocera 130W panel – US$ 585 per unit => $ 4.50 per watt
BP solar 140W panel – US$790 per unit => 4.65 per watt
Photowatt 165W panel – US$762 per unit => $4.62 per watt
Mitsubishi 110 W panel – US$529 per unit => $4.81 per watt
Evergreen 120W panel – US$595 per unit => $4.96 per watt

Si solar cells
0.5 to 1 kg of semiconductor silicon needed for a square meter of conventional solar modules.

CIS solar cells
indium requirement is in the vicinity of 3 to 9 g/cm²; the selenium requirement ranges from 7 to 20 g/m².

Rollable Series Flexible Solar Cells were built with the outdoors in mind. Each unit is assembled using high grade marine components, sealed edges for waterproofing, and built in grommets for easy fastening. These rugged characteristic make this series perfect for hiking, backpacking, tenting, and all marine activities. With three sizes to choose from, the Rollable Series Cells will provide reliable power for all your charging needs in the most remote of places. To store the cells, simply roll them up and toss in your bag. Each unit comes with a 15ft. extension cord with o-ring attachments for easy charging of 12V batteries.

Price quotes from www.affordable-solar.com
Module Model / power output Watt, voltage/ Price (US$)
R15-1200 20 watt 12v/ 2042/ $ 261.12
R15-600 10 watt 12v /2043/ $ 144.24
R15-300 5 watt 12v/2044/ $84.36
FlexiSolarCells.com (www.flexisolarcells.com)

Module Model / Operating voltage / operating current/ Price (US$)
R15-300 (3 Watt) / 15.4 V / 0.3 A / $119.95
R15-600 (10 Watt) / 15.4 V / 0.6 A / $229.95
R15-1200 (20Watt) / 15.4 V / 1.2 A / $429.95

High-level overview of BP Solar products

MultiCrystalline solar panels /High performance solar products for residential and commercial systems
BP 3160
BP SX 170
BP 3125
BP 380

MonoCrystalline solar panels /Premium solar products for residential systems
BP 4175
BP 485

Small Area Modules / Performance solar products primarily for remote industrial use
BP 365
BP 350
BP 340
BP SX 20 / BP SX 30
BP SX 5 / BP SX 10
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Solar Modules ST5, ST10

Designed for use in 12 volt systems

Proprietary multiple-layer CIS solar cells capture a broad spectrum of light energy to deliver excellent power performance – even in reduced-light or in
poor weather conditions.
• A conductive front layer of zinc oxide provides superior light transmission and trapping properties
to enhance power output.
• Monolithic interconnected structure of seriesconnected cells contributes to high reliability.

— Crystalline Silicon Modules 10, 18, 20, 30, 36, 46, 50, 55, 75, 100 Watt
— ST5, ST10, ST20 – 12 Thin film CIS Solar Module
— RV Power Kit , 36, 50, 75, 100 Watts

Prices of solar cell panels, modules in Europe (in Euros) Oct 2006
www.nautimarket.net
Nautimarket s.r.l. – Via San Giorgio – 33050 Carlino (UD) – Italy

ZZ-A-50100 – FVG Energy Monocrystalline photovoltaic module – 10 59.90EUR

ZZ50108 I-Max Photovoltaic Module 20W 133.90EUR

ZZ-A-50105 – FVG Energy Monocrystalline photovoltaic module – 25 139.00EUR
ZZ-A-50105X2 – Kit 2 Modules 25W FVG Energy(total 50W) 264.00EUR
ZZ-A-50105X4 – Kit 4 Modules 25W FVG Energy(total 100W) 500.40EUR

ZZ50110 Photovoltaic Module H272 – 30W 179.90EUR

ZZ50140 Photovoltaic Module Poly Cristalline 40W 199.00EUR
ZZ50140x4 Set 4 pcs Photovoltaic Module Poly Cristall. 40Wx4 (160) 716.40EUR

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Power Film – Flexible photovoltaic panels

Use 3 easy ways

1. Charge or Direct Power 12V Systems
2. Charge Wireless Electronics
3. Charge Almost All Lithium, NiCad, or NiMH Batteries

• Complete with 15 ft. of wire and o-ring battery connectors.
• Durable construction with marine-grade components.
• Can roll around a 3-inch diameter.
• UV Resistant / Weatherproof.
• Junction box with reverse blocking diode.
• Tin-coated wire for added durability.
• Wrap-around fastener to keep rolled up.
• Performs well in diverse conditions, including hot, and cloudy environments.