Collaboration between researchers at GE Global Research and GE
Energy-Solar Technologies has shown the capabilities of a
nano-wire-based solar cell, which has the potential to achieve up to 18
percent efficiency and is claimed to dramatically lower production
costs over conventional solar cell fabrication. GE recently reported
these developments in the Applied Physics Letters journal.
“GE’s demonstration of the silicon nanowire-based cell represents a
significant breakthrough in our efforts to enable higher efficiency
cells that can be produced at much lower production costs,” said Dr.
Loucas Tsakalakos, Project Leader of GE’s Nano PV team. “Today, higher
efficiency often comes with a higher price tag. Through the unique
processing and materials property benefits enabled by nanotechnology,
we’re aiming to break that paradigm and pave the way to making solar
power more affordable for consumers while maintaining and even
improving cell performance.”
GE is currently undertaking a
$46.7 million three-year project into making solar energy more cost
effective, including technologies for the solar cell such as high
efficiency silicon-based cells, molded silicon wafers, and flexible
thin films.
