CircuiTree - August 2008 - (Page 33)

electrical/optical properties. These materials are mixed in chalcopyrite thin-ﬁlms of CIS, CIGS, and CGS and have achieved greater than 12 percent energy efﬁciencies. Currently their manufacturing costs are higher than amorphous silicon solar cells but continuing work is leading to more cost-effective processes. The best efﬁciency of a thin-ﬁlm solar cell was reported for CIGS in March 2008 of 19.9 percent. Higher efﬁciencies (around 30 percent) can be obtained by using optics to concentrate the solar light. Cadmium Telluride (CdTe): An efﬁcient light-absorbing material for thin-ﬁlm solar cells. CdTe is easier to deposit and suitable for roll-to-roll production. Its efﬁciency is now up to 16 percent and is currently the most popular thin-ﬁlm photovoltaic material. The Cd, although toxic, is not released into the air and does not leach. The value of the Te makes recycling very practical. Others Light-Absorbing Dyes and Organic/Polymers: Typically a Ruthenium metalorganic dye is used as a monolayer light-absorbing material over a mesoporous layer of nanoparticulate titanium dioxide. The circuit is completed by a redox couple in the electrolyte, which can be a liquid or solid. Organic/ polymer solar cells are built from thin-ﬁlm compounds like polyphenylene vinylene, copper phthalocyanine, and carbon fullereness. Energy conversion efﬁciencies achieved to date are low at 6 percent; however, these cells could beneﬁt from their mechanical ﬂexibility and the ability to screen or offset print their structures into large formats. Figure 2 Produced, Installed, and Total Photovoltaic Peak Power Capacity (MWp) As of the End of 2007 (Source Wikipedia) Who Makes Them? The current photovoltaic market is approximately USD 15 billion and growing at 52 percent per year. Thin-ﬁlm photovoltaics are growing at 100 percent per year. At the end of 2007, according to preliminary data, cumulative global production of photovoltaic electricity was 12,400 megawatts. As seen in Figure 2, world solar photovoltaic installations reached a record high of 2,826 megawatts-peak (MWp) in 2007. The three leading countries, Germany, Japan, and the U.S., represent nearly 89 percent of the total worldwide photovoltaic installed capacity. But, in 2008, China announced new factories under construction to produce 1,500 MWp in 2009. When Will Photovoltaics Make Their Move? Predictions made by Deutsche Bank’s senior analysis, Stephan O’Rourke, can be seen in Figure 3. O’Rourke looked at the average cost of grid electricity in the U.S. for 2006— circuitree.com • August 2008 33 http://www.marchplasma.com http://www.marchplasma.com http://circuitree.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of CircuiTree - August 2008

CirciuTree - August 2008 Contents My Line Industry Review Tech Talk Flexible Thinking Creating Connections Between Electronics Design and Manufacturing Happy Thoughts View From the Middle Market Outlook Fein Lines IPCA Showcase Technical Product Spotlights Classified Ads Upcoming Events Ad Index Buyers Guide

CircuiTree - August 2008

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