The Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) has made a step forward in solar energy. The institute says that in cooperation with Toshiba and chemical company JSR, it has developed technology [JP] that makes it possible to slash productions costs of solar cells by up to 70% when compared to existing methods.
With the JAIST method, an organic solvent is added to silicon hydride polymers to create a liquid, ink-like material, which is then used to cover a glass substrate surface. The (amorphous silicon) solar cells are produced by heating that substrate to 400C. Vacuum units used in existing solar cell production processes are not needed, according to the JAIST.
The institute says that it’s currently working on boosting the cells’ conversion efficiency and that it aims at commercializing the technology in partnership with major Japanese solar cell makers.
Via Asahi Shimbun [JP]