Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/N03709/01
Title:	PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR CELLS WITH REDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Principal Investigator:	Lane, Professor DW
Other Investigators:	Rogers, Professor K
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	NSG
Department:	Materials & Medical Sciences
Organisation:	Cranfield University
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 April 2000	Ends:	30 June 2002	Value (£):	81,910
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Electronic Devices & Subsys. Solar Technology
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Energy
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
This project will investigate materials and processes with reduced environmental impact for production of solar cell absorber and window layers. The work will build on the combined expertise of the two universities in thin film PV solar cells and other thin film technologies. We aim to minimise use of selenium, and reduce absorber layer thickness to minimise consumption of resources, fabrication time and waste. One way to achieve this is by enhancing light trapping within the absorber. This is a major feature of a novel type of solar cell based on extremely thin absorber layers gorwn on highly rough surfaces. Cranfield will investigate these 'ETA cells' based on chalcopyrite absorbers. Processes investiated at Cranfield will include sputtering, thermal evaporation, reactive sputtering for deposition of window (ZnO and CdS) layers and chemical deposition of the CuInS2 absorber layers. At Northumbria, investigation of the precursor deposition and absorber-layer (CuInS2 and CuInSe2) formation processes will include RF magnetron sputter deposition, elemental sulphidisation/selenisation and novel electrochemical processes. Reduction of absorber-layer thickness and increased light trapping will involve investigation of novel device structures and chalcopyrite based compounds. An environmental impact assessment of materials and processes used will be undertaken.
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Organisation Website:	http://www.cranfield.ac.uk