| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/N04645/01 |
| Title: |
PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR CELLS WITH REDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT |
| Principal Investigator: |
Forbes, Dr I |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Engineering & Technology |
| Organisation: |
Northumbria, University of |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 September 2000 |
Ends: |
31 August 2002 |
Value (£): |
88,172
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Electronic Devices & Subsys. |
Solar Technology |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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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 grown on highly rough surfaces. Cranfield will investigate these 'ETA cells' based on chalcopyrite absorbers. Processes investigated 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 electrochenical 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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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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