Thin Film PV Panels Ben Normand & Elizabeth Sipple

Thin Film History Developed in 1980 Applied to calculators, watches and other portable low-watt appliances Expanded to larger appliances as efficiency rate increased Developed in 1980 Applied to calculators, watches and other portable low-watt appliances Expanded to larger appliances as efficiency rate increased

Thin Film Advantages Simple fabrication Requires low fabrication temp (300 C) Manufacturing requires little materials. -thin cell to crystinal thickness= 1 to 300 Flexible/ non-breakable High voltage can be obtained No infrastructure needed to support cells Cell can double as building material (roofing tiles, walls, etc) Simple fabrication Requires low fabrication temp (300 C) Manufacturing requires little materials. -thin cell to crystinal thickness= 1 to 300 Flexible/ non-breakable High voltage can be obtained No infrastructure needed to support cells Cell can double as building material (roofing tiles, walls, etc)

Challenges making thin film that is as efficient and durable as silicon. thin-film materials may be too polluting. Thin-film technology has been developed using cadmium, telluride and selenide, but there are environmental concerns about the manufacture and disposal of these heavy metals. making thin film that is as efficient and durable as silicon. thin-film materials may be too polluting. Thin-film technology has been developed using cadmium, telluride and selenide, but there are environmental concerns about the manufacture and disposal of these heavy metals.

Cell efficiency comparison -Thin Film= 2.5 to 4% -Single crystal silicon= 10 to 12% -…although lab performance testing shows higher efficiency for both cell types To get the same amount of electricity from a thin-film PV panel requires about twice the area of crystalline PV. typical commercial cell has an efficiency of 15%. -Thin Film= 2.5 to 4% -Single crystal silicon= 10 to 12% -…although lab performance testing shows higher efficiency for both cell types To get the same amount of electricity from a thin-film PV panel requires about twice the area of crystalline PV. typical commercial cell has an efficiency of 15%.

Cost by Brand Unisolar 21 watt= $ Shell 20 watt= $ Isofoton 165 watt= $ research shows that on average thin cell costs $5 per watt Unisolar 21 watt= $ Shell 20 watt= $ Isofoton 165 watt= $ research shows that on average thin cell costs $5 per watt

DuPont Tefzel Architect Nicholas Goldsmith, created tent like structures with thin film cells He used thin film amorphous silicon solar modules encapsulated in Tefzel,closely related to DuPont Teflon. Tefzel is lighter less fragile than glass Flexible nearly 100 percent transparent reliability against cracking and abrasion very little degradation due to UV radiation exposure. Typical performance is five watts peak power per square foot of module in bright sunlight. Architect Nicholas Goldsmith, created tent like structures with thin film cells He used thin film amorphous silicon solar modules encapsulated in Tefzel,closely related to DuPont Teflon. Tefzel is lighter less fragile than glass Flexible nearly 100 percent transparent reliability against cracking and abrasion very little degradation due to UV radiation exposure. Typical performance is five watts peak power per square foot of module in bright sunlight.

Future of Thin Films Natures solution to thin film cells developing molecules out of organic compounds like carbon and hydrogen super-thin film about 100 nanometers thick, can be applied as a paint. Replaces heavy metals currently being used in cells. Creates a biodegradable, almost natural cell Natures solution to thin film cells developing molecules out of organic compounds like carbon and hydrogen super-thin film about 100 nanometers thick, can be applied as a paint. Replaces heavy metals currently being used in cells. Creates a biodegradable, almost natural cell