IBM Breakthrough holds potential to deliver more energy at a
fraction of the cost
ARMONK, N.Y. - 11 Feb 2010: IBM today announced it
has built a solar cell -- where the key layer that absorbs most of
the light for conversion into electricity, is made entirely of
readily-available elements -- that set a new world record for
efficiency and holds potential for enabling solar cell technology
to produce more energy at a lower cost.
Comprised of copper (Cu), tin (Sn), zinc (Zn), sulfur (S), and/or
selenium (Se), the cell's power conversion demonstrates an
efficiency of 9.6 percent -- 40 percent higher than the value
previously attained for this set of materials. In order to achieve
progress in solar cell research, IBM is leveraging its world-class
expertise in microprocessor technology, materials and
manufacturing.
"In a given hour, more energy from sunlight strikes the earth
than the entire planet consumes in a year, but solar cells
currently contribute less than 0.1 percent of electricity supply --
primarily as a result of cost," said Dr. David Mitzi, who leads the
team at IBM Research that developed the solar cell.
"The quest to develop a solar technology that can
compare on a cost per watt basis with the conventional electricity
generation, and also offer the ability to deploy at the terawatt
level, has become a major challenge that our research is moving us
closer to overcoming."
The IBM researchers describe their achievement of the thin-film
photovoltaic technology in a paper published in Advanced Materials this week, highlighting the
solar cell's potential to accomplish the goal of producing low-cost
energy that can be used widely and commercially.
The solar cell development also sets itself apart from its
predecessors as it was created using a combination of solution and
nanoparticle-based approaches, rather than the popular, but
expensive vacuum-based technique. The production change is expected
to enable much lower fabrication costs, as it is consistent with
high-throughput and high materials utilization based deposition
techniques including printing, dip and spray coating and slit
casting.
Currently available thin
film solar cell modules based upon compound semiconductors operate
at 9 to 11 percent efficiency levels, and are primarily made from
two costly compounds -- copper indium gallium selenide or cadmium
telluride. Attempts to create affordable, earth abundant solar
cells from related compounds that are free of indium, gallium or
cadmium have not exceeded 6.7 percent, compared to IBM's new 9.6
efficiency rating.
Over the past several years, IBM researchers have pioneered
several breakthroughs related to creating inexpensive, efficient
solar cells. IBM does not plan to manufacture solar technologies,
but is open to partnering with solar cell manufacturers to
demonstrate the technology.
For additional insight regarding today's announcement, visit: http://asmarterplanet.com/