Sachs expects that new antireflection coatings will further raise multicrystalline cell efficiencies. One of his firm’s future goals will be a switch from expensive silver bus wires to cheaper copper ones. And he has a few ideas regarding how to successfully make the substitution. “Unlike silver, copper poisons the performance of silicon PVs,” Sachs says, “so it will be crucial to include a low-cost diffusion barrier that stops direct contact between copper and the silicon.” In this business, it’s always the little devilish details that count.

Note: This article was originally printed with the title, "Sunny Days for Silicon".

11 Comments

1. 1. phoghat 04:38 PM 7/29/08

   What about the cells made into panels that ordinary roofers can install?

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2. 2. exiledpro in reply to phoghat 01:05 AM 8/16/08

   Phogat, it depends what question your asking. I think, (though I was listening to raining blood throughout reading this article) that the difference between the two is the 120 by 10 microns one has many gaps, and glass if going to be added to allow the light to essentially be trapped.
   
   In short, ordinary roofers should be able to install this anyway... there doesn't seem to be that much change, maybe in the wires. If anyone knows...?

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3. 3. SAMUEL_MARCHBANKS 10:59 AM 8/29/08

   JUST AN IDEA ABOUT SOLAR
   
   AS A HOME OWNER I DRED REPLACING MY ROOF BECAUSE OF THE COST. MY HOME IS 85 YEARS OLD IN THE INNER CITY.
   
   i KEEP HOPING SOMEONE WILL COME UP UP WITH AN IDEA TO KEEP INSTALLATION COSTS DOWN. EVERYONE KEEPS HOPING THAT NEW TECHNOLOGY WILL INCREASE $ per watt RATIOS OT OVERCOME INSTALLATION COSTS
   
   MY LATEST THOUGHT IS A FLEXABLE BASE TO PUT THE CELLS ON.
   
   LIKE A HUGE SHEET OF SEMI-FLEXABLE UV RESITENT PLASTIC
   THAT CAN SIMPLY BE PULLED OVER THE ROOF AND THEN SECURED FROM WIND PROBLEMS.
   
   IF IT COULD LAST 5 YEARS AND THEN HAVE THE VOLTAIC PROPERTIES RECYCLED THEN WERE IN A RENEWABLE ERA WITH THAT TOO.
   
   IT JUST MAKES SENSE TO START DEVELOPING
   SOLAR ENABLED ROOFTOPS FOR OLDER HOMES.
   
   MY THOUGHT IS APPLY IT OVER AN EXISTING ROOF TOP
   
   BUT APPLY IT LIKE A STIFF 8 FOOT WIDE WALL PAPER - SEMI FLEXIBLE
   
   THAT ADDS AN ADDITIONAL LAYER WATER PROOFING TO THE ROOF.
   
   
   SO THATS IT MY IDEA IS
   
   RECYCLABLE SOLAR WALLPAPER THAT CAN BE PUT ANYWHERE.
   
   ON ROOF TOPS
   OVER LAWNS
   ON TOP OF CARS
   ALONG HIGHWAYS
   BUILDINGS
   STADIUMS
   SIDE WALKS
   WIND TURBINE POLES AND BLADES
   BLIMPS ,BOATS . RAILROAD CARS - RAILROAD TRACKS ,TRACTOR TRAILERS
   
   SEASONAL ROLLOUTS
   AS A WINTER FARM CROP
   PARKING LOTS , FENCES
   MOUNTAINS
   PLANETS , WORLDS, AND ORBITS
   
   OK THAT MAY BEING GOING TO FAR BUTT.
   i REALLY THINK HOME OWNERS WOULD FLOCK TO IT AND THUS PROVIDE MUCH OF THE MONEY NEEDED TO DRIVE NEW INNOVATIONS.
   
   I KNOW THIS CONCEPT COULD SPIN WILDLY OUT OF CONTROL .
   IN MY OPINION THINGS ARE ALREADY OUT OF CONTOL WITH CLIMATE CHANGE POSSIBLY BEING MASKED BY SOLAR DIMMING. COVERING LARGE AREAS OF EARTH WITH RECYCLABLE BLACK OR WHITE WALLPAPER SEEMS TOO COSTLY
   UNLESS THE PAPER IS ACTUALLY PROFITABLE
   AND A ECO FRIENDLY POWER SOURCE. THAT CAN REMAIN AFTER GREENHOUSE CRISISES ARE LONG GONE.

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4. 4. SAMUEL_MARCHBANKS in reply to SAMUEL_MARCHBANKS 11:03 AM 8/29/08

   SAMUEL_MARCHBANKS

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5. 5. Gerald 02:11 PM 10/15/08

   Hi, Could some one please tell me how or where to find out about making Amorpohous solar panels. What inks are used and what order they are put on and how do you connect the leads off it. I think there is huge potential in creating light wieght plastic solar panels like they make for backpacks to cellphones etc.

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6. 6. premnm 12:14 PM 1/5/10

   What if plastic concentrators are placed over the solar panels to substantially increse the input sunlight? Would higher temperature then decrease the efficency of the solar panel?

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7. 7. premnm 12:18 PM 1/5/10

   Why cant one put plastic lenses over the sols panel to increase the solar input? Would the higher flux decrease the efficiency of the solar panel?

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8. 8. dixdarlin 11:05 AM 7/22/10

   Play in the Day! I have seen ball fields with lights on day and night. Games were once played during the day. Let's do it again.
   If you can't watch it in the day, have local news channel film and show you at 8. Sure would cut out the need for many coal fired plants.

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9. 9. dixdarlin 11:10 AM 7/22/10

   Play in the Day!
   
   Get local schools involved, collecting alluminum, etc. Teach how to make solar cells in schools.
   There is atleast one building in everytown that cold be making solar cells. If this is going to cut someone's electric bill and clean the environment for their children. They will participate......
   

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10. 10. AbleSmith 04:57 AM 3/8/11

    can we plan to raise and lower the panels so that it will match the sun's angle?
    http://www.usedbikesmarket.com

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11. 11. gingersanders2 01:47 PM 8/6/12

    Thanks for the post. What is the concentration of <a href="http://budcare.com">organic hydroponic nutrients</a> in these silicon solar cells? This could seriously affect the performance.

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