by jbs072109 f3 — July 27, 2009—The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has installed its first Atmospheric Processing Platform to prototype lower-cost thin film solar cells from inks and other solutions.
Thin film technologies are spurring new solar applications, such as modules that double as roof shingles, and semi-transparent modules that can be integrated into building walls or roofs. It has the potential to dramatically increase the generation of clean electricity, says NREL.
To become commercially successful, thin film manufacturing costs must be significantly reduced. The new platform enables NREL scientists to work directly with industry partners to test novel designs and manufacturing methods using precise digital printing technologies under controlled conditions.
The new platform consists of several large glove boxes that are connected both by internal portals and a linear transport train that runs beneath the boxes, allowing researchers to work with samples inside the glove boxes’ controlled conditions.
It allows collaborative research teams to isolate important steps in the thin-film manufacturing process and look for ways to refine or accelerate those steps with the intent of reducing the cost of the finished solar cell.
To learn more about NREL’s Photovoltaic Research, visit the Web site.
