Highly Efficient Thin Film Tandem Solar Cells

The nations future energy supply, loss of its manufacturing base to foreign countries, and global climate change are three of our countrys most urgent problems. Renewable energy sources that can be cost effectively implemented on a large scale, domestically produced and have minimal impact on the environment are necessary for the countrys health, security and prosperity. Three-terminal, chalcogenide-based tandem thin film solar cells, which are compatible with high-throughput manufacturing, will be developed. These multijunction solar cells have the potential to be highly efficient (25%) and deliver electricity at a cost per watt that enables PV to reach grid parity within five years.Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: Electric power generation in The United States of America alone generated revenues of more than $250 billion dollars in 2009. This new class of solar cells can address a significant fraction of this market, providing clean and secure energy. America will also regain a significant competitive technological edge in energy production, the single largest market in the world, creating both domestic job growth and substantial exports. Finally, this technology will provide America with the ability to meet its aggressive targets for reduction in carbon emissions.