Solar cell technologies based on copper indium selenide (CIS) materials have achieved the highest sunlight to electricity conversion efficiencies of any polycrystalline thin-film photovoltaics (PV) technology, but CIS-based PV products have yet to be introduced in the commercial marketplace in large part due to the lack of simple, robust processes capable of depositing high-quality CIS films at low costs on large areas with the high-volume reproducibility needed for commercial production. This project will explore a simple technique for fabricating CIS films for solar cells. The film deposition process will combine material techniques developed for other applications: high-temperature superconductors, the commercial paint industry, and high-performance flat panel displays. Phase I will demonstrate that low-cost precursor materials can be prepared and that device-quality CIS films can be fabricated. Phase II will demonstrate state-of-the-art cell efficiencies and demonstrate the commercial potential of the technology.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:The process to be developed should halve the cost of a CIS film for a thin-film solar-module. The availability of such a process should significantly accelerate the commercialization of CIS PV technology for a wide range of applications.
