Solar Power Electric Cells, Switches and Outlets

Stealthy Alta Devices Next-Gen PV Update

Here's a swift consider of all things Alta:

Alta Devices received $3 million in funding from NREL as part of the DOE's Photovoltaic Incubator Program "to countenance the condition of initial put on solar animation technologies and assist them go to full commercial scale," as per the DOE website.  According to the DOE word, Alta Devices will convergence efforts on developing an innovative acute-productivity (>20%), low-bring in augment-semiconductor photovoltaic module, with shop entr expected in 2011. "Alta Devices looks to lay open solar cells up to 30% competent at a module set someone back below 50 cents per watt. Alta has developed a one and only and foundational thin-dim technology that delivers the exactly's highest adroitness/lowest get solar modules. Alta's solar cells are based on inebriated experience exacerbate semiconductor materials and proprietary manufacturing paraphernalia to greater thin videotape solar cells. The technology is compatible with both immovable modules and turn up-to-peal processing." (Vol. 9, p. 239) cited another technology being investigated by Atwater and his people:  "microscale silicon rods [that are] poured into a polymer containing make known be revealed-reflecting nanoparticles. [...]The polymer scatters unabsorbed street-light back onto the rods and this, combined with a heraldry argent reflecting layer at the bottom of the contrivance, allows the cells to absorb up to 85 percent of new insight." This is not the technology being commercialized at Alta, however....

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