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Having already demonstrated and had verified its record setting strain-balanced quantum-well single junction cell with efficiency levels of 28.3%, Imperial College spin-out, QuantaSol is seeking further cell efficiency gains and lower fabrication costs before entering volume production. The compnay is adopting a dilute nitride process under licence from the University of Houston. This is the first major collaboration QuantaSol has announced.
"We've already tested the benefits of using Houston's dilute nitride materials in the way we engineer quantum wells in our cells," noted Keith Barnham, CSO and co-founder of QuantaSol. "The exclusive worldwide licence is a strategic move to ensure we maintain our performance advantage, and we will work with our colleagues in Houston to develop the techniques further in commercial production in 2010."
QuantaSol said that using dilute nitrides it would reduce the number of quantum well layers required for each junction, without sacrificing solar efficiency. Conversely the thickness of the device is reduced and reduces process steps, lowering manufacturing costs.
The company said it was planning to produce triple junction CPV devices in 2010.
