[en] First Japan then Germany and now most westernized countries have put into effect measures and regulations favoring the development of solar energy and solar industry. Today solar energy is full fledged and is engaged into a race toward lower costs and better performance. The study shows that if the pace of progress is maintained solar energy will be competitive by 2020. This evolution will rely more on a continuous flux of innovations than on a series of abrupt technological breakthroughs. (A.C.)

[en] We present a novel structured pattern projection tool for stress, and topography measurement of solar cells. The presented tool has expanded (two standard deviations) accuracy and repeatability of 0.5 mm, exceeding current industry requirements (±0.05 mm one standard deviation). Measurements on the R and D system indicate that this technology is capable of performing measurements with a throughput exceeding 2000 wafers per hour

[en] Short communication

[en] In order to estimate the performance of solar cells with downshifters under realistic irradiation conditions we used spectral distributions as they may be found outdoors. The spectral distributions were generated on a minutely basis by means of the spectrum simulation model SEDES2, using minutely measured data for global, direct, and diffuse irradiation from a Dutch meteorological station. Hourly aggregated spectra for a number of typical days (clear summer day, cloudy summer day, clear winter day, cloudy winter day) were used in modelling the output of the solar cell with and without downshifter. It was found that the simulated short current enhancement, which varies between about 7 and 23%, is linearly related with the average photon energy of the spectra

[en] The type and shape of solar thermal absorber materials will impact on the operating temperature and thermal energy storage effect of a solar air thermal collector. For a standard flat-plate design, energy gain can be increased by expanding the thermal absorber area along the collector plane, subject to area limitation. This paper focuses on the staging effect of a metal hollow square rod absorber of aluminium, stainless steel, and a combination of the two with a cross design, for the heat gain and temperature characteristics of a solar air collector. Experiments were carried out with three cross design set-ups, with 30 minutes of heating and cooling, phase, respectively, under 485 W/ m"2 solar irradiance value, and at a constant air speed at 0.38 m/ s. One set aluminium set-up delivered the highest output temperature of 41.8 degree Celsius, followed by two-sets aluminium and one aluminium set + one stainless steel set at 39.3 and 38.2 degree Celsius, respectively. The lowest peak temperature is recorded on three sets of the aluminium absorber at 35 degree Celsius. The bi-metallic set-up performed better than the two aluminium set-up where each set-up obtained a temperature drop against heat gain gradient value of -0.4186 degree Celsius/ W and -0.4917 degree Celsius/ W, respectively. Results concluded that by increasing the number of sets, the volume and surface areas of the absorber material are also increased, and lead to a decrease in peak temperature output for each increase of sets. (author)

[en] In order to move to a next generation of characterization methods, the requirements must be fully understood and documented. Presented herein are the required functionalities for the next generation of characterization methods. This paper is not meant to be exhaustive, but instead presents new developing characterization methods. The basic characterization requirements are outlined in the introduction. It is expected that in the future, phenomena will be understood on the atomic scale and applied to large-scale arrays for a complete understanding of the various affects that determine the real cell efficiency. There is a need for a fundamental understanding from atomic and nanoscale characterizations of impurities, native defects, extended defects and interfaces to provide the necessary understanding of these types of PV cells. This information from fundamental probes should be used for input to the performance characterization of the developing technologies, which include high-flux operation, multijunction and lower band-gap systems. These methods will allow new materials to come to realization at a much faster rate than was possible in previous years

[en] Pulsed laser sources are widely used for the micro-processing of materials from the structuring and patterning of surfaces to the direct machining of devices. This paper discusses laser micro-processing techniques for the fabrication of microstructures with high accuracy and precision over large areas. Techniques discussed include laser mask projection techniques, synchronised image scanning (SIS) and bow tie scanning (BTS) and direct beam micromachining. Examples of the application of these techniques in industrial production are discussed, including solar cell scribing, micro-optical device manufacture, inkjet printer nozzle drilling and plasma display panel patterning

[en] There is optimism with respect to the use of solar cells in the energy supply. However, the question is whether cost price reduction will result in sufficient cost-effective applications. Spatial and economic aspects of the use and development of solar cells are discussed. 6 refs

[en] Photovoltaics (PV) technology has definite environmental advantages over competing electricity generation technologies, and so far these advantages have driven market penetration. The PV industry follows a pro-active approach to preserve its safe and environmentally friendly nature. Industrial ecology considerations raise the issue of what to do with the PV modules at the end of their useful life. One option is recycling. This paper discusses the value of proactive recycling and compares several alternatives. copyright 1999 American Institute of Physics

[en] We present the development of a new solar cell prototype in order to improve photovoltaic efficiency. In this model we show that the material can have three successive incident ray absorptions instead of two currently, by varying the incidence angle, the aperture between the summits of two neighbouring pyramids and their height. This study concerns in particular the photovoltaic parameters such as the spectral response. This model was checked for angles varying between 54 and 60 deg and for pyramid heights between 5 and 10 μm. For these values of incidence angle, the apertures between the summits of two neighbouring pyramids varied respectively from 14.54 to 11.54 μm for a pyramid angle height of 10 μm