Climax, feds partner on photovoltaic research

An electricity producing photovoltaic 'tree' in Syria. PHOTO COURTESY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS.

New process could increase efficiency and lower cost of photovoltaic components

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Making materials for photovoltaic systems lighter and easier to use, as well as increasing the efficiency of the conversion from sunlight into electricity are key goals for the solar power industry.

A new partnership between Climax Molydenum and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory may lead to progress in that area.

The Climax Molybdenum Technology Center has developed a new blend of sodium-containing molybdenum metal powder, that is suitable for depositing thin films of sodium-containing molybdenum. The partnership with NREL is aimed at using the innovative material in practical, energy producing applications.

The addition of a small amount of sodium into the absorber layer of copper, indium, gallium, selenium increases the conversion efficiency. However, the means to introduce the optimum amount of sodium into the surface of the photovoltaic material in a controllable and predictable manner has always been a challenge.

The new material developed by Climax is engineered to provide that optimum sodium dose in a cost-effective way, increasing the reliability of mass-produced PV cells by simplifying the device structure.

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