Posted On: 05/02/2016 12:19:28 PM
Post# of 22465
The Future of LowCost Solar...w/ Solterra:
"Many academic research groups have shown this [QDot] technology holds promise. But relatively few companies are betting that they have the combination of unique materials chemistry and manufacturing know-how needed to provide a competitive edge in this area. One exception is Solterra Renewable Technologies, in San Marcos, Texas.
Solterra is a subsidiary of Quantum Materials, a manufacturer of nanocrystals and other nanoscale materials. Solterra’s cells are designed to exploit Quantum’s low-cost synthesis methods for making four-armed quantum dots. The unique shape of these crystals reduces the probability of electron-hole recombination , which leads to greater charge transport and photovoltaic efficiencies compared with spherical quantum dots of the same material.
According to Vice President David C. Doderer, Solterra aims to produce a prototype quantum dot cell within one year and demonstrate a multicell module within two years . The firm is working to improve its roll-to-roll printing technique and other manufacturing procedures, he says.
In a development that may advance quantum dot photovoltaics, researchers at East China University of Science & Technology just reported that their Zn-Cu-In-Se quantum dot cell yielded an efficiency of 11.6%. That value tops the current U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory-certified quantum dot record holder by 0.3% (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2016, DOI:
http://cen.acs.org/articles/94/i18/future-low...cells.html
"Many academic research groups have shown this [QDot] technology holds promise. But relatively few companies are betting that they have the combination of unique materials chemistry and manufacturing know-how needed to provide a competitive edge in this area. One exception is Solterra Renewable Technologies, in San Marcos, Texas.
Solterra is a subsidiary of Quantum Materials, a manufacturer of nanocrystals and other nanoscale materials. Solterra’s cells are designed to exploit Quantum’s low-cost synthesis methods for making four-armed quantum dots. The unique shape of these crystals reduces the probability of electron-hole recombination , which leads to greater charge transport and photovoltaic efficiencies compared with spherical quantum dots of the same material.
According to Vice President David C. Doderer, Solterra aims to produce a prototype quantum dot cell within one year and demonstrate a multicell module within two years . The firm is working to improve its roll-to-roll printing technique and other manufacturing procedures, he says.
In a development that may advance quantum dot photovoltaics, researchers at East China University of Science & Technology just reported that their Zn-Cu-In-Se quantum dot cell yielded an efficiency of 11.6%. That value tops the current U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory-certified quantum dot record holder by 0.3% (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2016, DOI:
http://cen.acs.org/articles/94/i18/future-low...cells.html
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