Feb 3 2011
Producer of UNI-SOLAR-brand photovoltaic laminates, United Solar declared that the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has verified a 12% conversion effectiveness of a solar cell utilizing patented Nano-Crystalline silicon from UNI-SOLAR. This is highest huge-area solar cell effectiveness verified by NREL for thin-film silicon photovoltaic technology.
United Solar has collaborated with the NREL for over twenty years in the research and development of sophisticated thin-film photovoltaic technologies. The record-breaking solar cell effectiveness with an area of 400 cm2 was encapsulated in the patented thin-film polymer of UNI-SOLAR.
The triple-junction technology of UNI-SOLAR integrates Nano-Crystalline silicon layers on a supple stainless steel substrate and enhances the efficiency of the solar cell by nearly 50% similar to existing UNI-SOLAR cells.
United Solar plans to commercialize this innovative technology in 2012. The sophisticated technology will reduce the installation cost of a UNI-SOLAR solar power system and will decrease the solar electricity production cost by more than 20%. Eventually, the company anticipates providing solar power systems that can produce electricity at a cost less than that of the utility grid.
The Chairman of United Solar and Executive Vice President of Photovoltaic Technology, Energy Conversion Devices, Subhendu Guha stated that the record-breaking solar cell efficiency was attained under the Solar America Initiative Program of the US Department of Energy. United Solar headed the program along with NREL and related universities, he added.
Source: http://www.uni-solar.com