2006 APS March Meeting
Monday–Friday, March 13–17, 2006;
Baltimore, MD
Session G5: Advanced Materials for Solar Energy Utilization
8:00 AM–11:00 AM,
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Baltimore Convention Center
Room: 309
Sponsoring
Units:
DMP FIAP
Chair: Julia Hsu, Sandia National Laboratories
Abstract ID: BAPS.2006.MAR.G5.5
Abstract: G5.00005 : The Status and Outlook for the Photovoltaics Industry
10:24 AM–11:00 AM
Preview Abstract
Abstract
Author:
David Carlson
(BP Solar)
The first silicon solar cell was made at Bell Labs in 1954, and
over the following decades, shipments of photovoltaic (PV)
modules increased at a rate of about 18\% annually. In the last
several years, the annual growth rate has increased to $\sim$ 35\%
due largely to government-supported programs in Japan and
Germany. Silicon technology has dominated the PV industry
since its inception, and in 2005 about 65\% of all solar cells
were made from polycrystalline (or multicrystalline) silicon, ~
24\% from monocrystalline silicon and $\sim$ 4\% from ribbon
silicon.
While conversion efficiencies as high as 24.7\% have been
obtained in the laboratory for silicon solar cells, the best
efficiencies for commercial PV modules are in the range of 17 –
18\% (the efficiency limit for a silicon solar cell is $\sim$
29\%).
A number of companies are commercializing solar cells based on
other materials such as amorphous silicon, microcrystalline
silicon, cadmium telluride, copper-indium-gallium-diselenide
(CIGS), gallium arsenide (and related compounds) and dye-
sensitized titanium oxide. Thin film CIGS solar cells have
been fabricated with conversion efficiencies as high as 19.5\%
while efficiencies as high as 39\% have been demonstrated for a
GaInP/Ga(In)As/Ge triple-junction cell operating at a
concentration of 236 suns. Thin film solar cells are being
used in consumer products and in some building-integrated
applications, while PV concentrator systems are being tested in
grid-connected arrays located in high solar insolation areas.
Nonetheless, crystalline silicon PV technology is likely to
dominate the terrestrial market for at least the next decade
with module efficiencies $>$ 20\% and module prices of $<$ \$1/Wp
expected by 2020, which in turn should allow significant
penetration of the utility grid market. However, crystalline
silicon solar cells may be challenged in the next decade or two
by new low-cost, high performance devices based on organic
materials and nanotechnology.
To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2006.MAR.G5.5