Microstrostructured Crystalline Silicon Thin-Film Solar Cells

This phase I STTR proposal is aimed at reducing cost of energy generation in crystalline silicon solar cells. Cost of the Si wafer itself accounts for over 50 % of energy conversion, therefore, economic use of Si can potentially reduced costs by a factor of 10 by reducing current mass/watt ratios of ~ 3 g/W to ~ 0.4 g/W. Economic use of Si in the form of thin (~ 25 µm) films can reduce energy generation costs. Thin Silicon films are formed by a patterned/etch process that enables multiple usage of a conventional Si substrate. The pattern and etch processes serve two purposes: enhance weak optical absorption in thin Si films as well as enable isolation from the parent substrate. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Some of the potential benefits of successful phase I STTR research include reduced reliance on carbon-based fuels, flexible solar cells, and manufacturing of low-cost silicon-on-insulator substrates.