SBIR-STTR Award

AmberWave, Inc. has developed a method to laminate an ultra-thin (18 microns) monocrystalline Si layer to a conductive and fracture-resistant supporting layer such as a thin steel alloy foil. With this UTSi (Ultra-Thin Si) technology we have integrated front and rear cell processes based on the world-record PERL (Passivated Emitter Rear Locally diffused) silicon solar cell design, and have demonstrated efficiency of nearly 17% .Under the proposed SBIR Phase I project we will integrate a periodic array of metallic nanophotonic light trapping structures into the rear of our solar cell, to demonstrate enhanced light trapping in a 10 micron Si absorber layer.Phase I targets will be to demonstrate at least 12 watts/square foot, and 50 watts/pound, for unencapsulated UTSi solar cells with area of at least 2.5 square inches.In addition we will show a pathway to solar blankets capable of 16 watts/square foot and over 35 watts/pound, utilizing our UTSi solar cells with nanophotonic light trapping.

AmberWave, Inc. has developed a method to bond an ultra-thin (18 micron) monocrystalline Si layer to a conductive and fracture-resistant supporting layer such as a thin steel alloy foil. With this UTSi (Ultra-Thin Si) technology we have integrated front and rear cell processes based on the world-record PERL (Passivated Emitter Rear Locally diffused) silicon solar cell design, and have demonstrated verified efficiency of nearly 17%.Under our Phase I proposal with our partner NRL we have shown a path to increasing Jsc and efficiency by 6% through the incorporation of a periodic nanostructure array into UTSi rear reflector structure.Our proposed Phase II performance targets include demonstrating UTSi solar cells, with periodic nanostructures, with areal power density of 17.7 W/ft2 and specific power density of 100W W/lb, with a total area of at least 1 ft2, as well as a detailed plan to scaling up to areas of at least 17 ft2 in a manufacturing process. In addition, a detailed production cost roadmap enabling a price $6/W or less for flexible solar modules based on these UTSi solar cells will be presented.