New Solar Cell Technology Gets Boost from Federal Funds

New solar cell technology allows silicon wafers to be cast without losing material to dust

The United States Department of Energy is expected to provide a $150 million loan guarantee for a company developing new solar cell technology. The company, 1366 Technologies, is positioned to revolutionize the manufacturing process of silicon cells, which will make it possible to create cheaper solar panels.

In fact, estimates are that the cost of manufacturing a solar cell could be cut by 40%.

The solar technology is used to directly cast silicon wafers (only 200 microns thick, or 8/1000th of an inch) instead of slicing them from a block, which results in about half the material being lost as dust.

The U.S. Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, commented:

“This project is a game-changer that could dramatically lower the cost of photovoltaic solar cells.”

Federal funding for the new solar cell technology, through the loan guarantee program is consistent with the DOE’s goal of developing a cradle-to-market innovation strategy.

Identifying promising solar technologies like this one of 1366 Technologies, and then providing support early in the process to help them mature, will eventually benefit everyone. By streamlining and reducing solar panel production costs, this renewable energy resource becomes more affordable and available to everyone.

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