Developed three -layer solar cells

Sharp has promised to May this year to mass production at the plant Katsugari (Katsugari) new thin-film solar cells with three-layer structure. In conventional solar cells using two-layer structure: amorphous silicon to microcrystalline. Sharp introduced a new technology that provides for a three-layer structure: two layers of amorphous and a microcrystalline Si.

Recall that the use of multilayer structures has led to the creation of a prototype element to a record high efficiency of 41 %. In contrast to the record holder, Sharp provides design efficiency of 13 %, but the company offers a technology that is ready for mass deployment. Compared with conventional two-layer elements, the efficiency is increased by 2%. It is interesting to note that the thickness of a prototype 3 -layer element is only 2 microns.

Not that Sharp is developing a completely new. Prototypes of three-layer solar cells have already created in the laboratories of researchers. But they demanded for mass production of entirely new equipment. The advantage is the development of Sharp that for elements of its technology can be used conveyors, designed to create a two-layer elements. Thus, the transition to a more modern efficient technologies can be quick, painless and relatively cheap. It is hoped that the prices for new solar cells are not much ' bite '.
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