Benchtop Growth of High Quality Thin Film Photovoltaics

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Program:
IDEAS
Award:
$259,600
Location:
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
01/01/2015 - 03/31/2016

Technology Description:

The University of Michigan is investigating a new, hybrid thin-film PV production technology that combines two different semiconductor production techniques: electrodeposition (the deposition of a substance on an electrode by the action of electricity) and epitaxial crystal growth (the growth of crystals of one substance on the crystal face of another substance). If successful, the University of Michigan’s new hybrid approach would produce highly efficient (above 20%) gallium arsenide thin film solar cells using only simple process equipment, non-flammable precursor ingredients, and relatively low production temperatures (below 350 °C). This would radically decrease the production cost per watt of solar capacity, making it substantially less expensive and more competitive with other energy sources.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Jason Rugolo
Project Contact:
Prof. Stephen Maldonado
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
smald@umich.edu

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