This approach might also cook up the solar cells in a microwave oven similar to the one in most kitchens
A process combining some comparatively cheap materials and the same antifreeze that keeps an automobile radiator from freezing in cold weather may be the key to making solar cells that cost less and avoid toxic compounds, while further expanding the use of solar energy.
And when perfected, this approach might also cook up the solar cells in a microwave oven similar to the one in most kitchens.
Engineers at Oregon State University have determined that ethylene glycol, commonly used in antifreeze products, can be a low-cost solvent that functions well in a “continuous flow” reactor – an approach to making thin-film solar cells that is easily scaled up for mass production at industrial levels.
The research, just published in Material Letters, a professional journal, also concluded this approach will work with CZTS, or copper zinc tin sulfide, a compound of significant interest for solar cells due to its excellent optical properties and the fact these materials are cheap and environmentally benign.
“The global use of solar energy may be held back if the materials we use to produce solar cells are too expensive or require the use of toxic chemicals in production,” said Greg Herman, an associate professor in the OSU School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering. “We need technologies that use abundant, inexpensive materials, preferably ones that can be mined in the U.S. This process offers that.”
By contrast, many solar cells today are made with CIGS, or copper indium gallium diselenide. Indium is comparatively rare and costly, and mostly produced in China. Last year, the prices of indium and gallium used in CIGS solar cells were about 275 times higher than the zinc used in CZTS cells.
The technology being developed at OSU uses ethylene glycol in meso-fluidic reactors that can offer precise control of temperature, reaction time, and mass transport to yield better crystalline quality and high uniformity of the nanoparticles that comprise the solar cell – all factors which improve quality control and performance.
This approach is also faster – many companies still use “batch mode” synthesis to produce CIGS nanoparticles, a process that can ultimately take up to a full day, compared to about half an hour with a continuous flow reactor. The additional speed of such reactors will further reduce final costs.
“For large-scale industrial production, all of these factors – cost of materials, speed, quality control – can translate into money,” Herman said. “The approach we’re using should provide high-quality solar cells at a lower cost.”
The Latest Bing News on:
Low-cost solar energy
- New program aims to bring residential solar to low-income communities in North Carolinaon April 26, 2024 at 6:10 pm
EnergizeNC will engage with communities across the state to increase access to solar and battery installation in disadvantaged communities.
- Making Solar Affordable: This $7 Billion US Investment Expands Solar For Allon April 26, 2024 at 11:19 am
New grants for Solar for All programs aim to install solar panels and boost community solar access for over 900,000 low- and middle-income residents nationwide.
- Solar energy development gets boost from EPAon April 24, 2024 at 6:00 pm
A partnership between California's Solar for America (S4A) and the California Infrastructure Economic Development Bank (Ibank) was awarded $249.8 million to make solar energy more affordable and acces ...
- Oregon awarded nearly $87 million to boost solar in low-income communitieson April 24, 2024 at 1:41 pm
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Oregon will receive $86.6 million through the Solar for All grant.
- $500 million for solar energy for tribal familieson April 24, 2024 at 12:45 pm
Look for solar panels to blossom atop low-income homes in Indian Country over the next five years. On Monday the Environmental Protection Agency announced $500 million for tribes as part of $7 billion ...
- Wisconsin has received a $62.4 million solar energy grant for low-income householdson April 24, 2024 at 5:49 am
Wisconsin will distribute $62.4 million in grant funding for solar energy projects to benefit low- and moderate-income households.
- Texas Solar for All Coalition awarded $249M grant to deploy solar energy for low-income householdson April 23, 2024 at 10:00 pm
Programs supported by this grant will expand access to rooftop and community solar projects, and help lower customer bills by more than 20% in the targeted residential communities, according to a news ...
- Arizona Scores $156 Million Federal Grant for Low-Cost Solar Power, Benefitting Over 11,000 Residentson April 23, 2024 at 12:11 pm
Arizona receives a $156 million federal grant for low-cost solar power initiatives, benefiting over 11,000 residents and generating 61 megawatts of solar energy, prioritizing low-income families and ...
- Ohio to spend $156M on low-income solar projectson April 23, 2024 at 9:51 am
Ohio plans to spend $156 million in taxpayer funds to encourage solar power in what the state calls disadvantaged areas.
- Maine will receive $62M from EPA to expand solar to low-income householdson April 22, 2024 at 2:07 pm
Maine is receiving $62 million from the federal government to bring solar energy to low-income households, reduce energy costs and create more jobs. Maine was one of 60 projects to receive this ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Low-cost solar energy
[google_news title=”” keyword=”low-cost solar energy” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Solar energy
- Pennsylvania Governor Aims for Solar Power to Supply 50% of State Agencieson April 27, 2024 at 8:17 am
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro revealed an ambitious initiative on Monday aimed at transitioning half of all state agencies to solar power, marking a remarkable step towards renewable energy ...
- Arizona senators invest in solar energy for tribeson April 26, 2024 at 1:54 pm
Arizona Senators Krysten Sinema and Mark Kelly announced over 87 million dollars in funding today for solar projects that benefit tribal homes.
- JM Steel triples capacity for solar energy projects at Pennsylvania facilityon April 26, 2024 at 9:32 am
Steel processing provider JM Steel has completed a major expansion of Nextracker-dedicated manufacturing lines at its Leetsdale, Pa., steel facility, achieving 4 GW of capacity. Nextracker is a global ...
- JM Steel announces expansion in Pittsburgh area as demand for solar energy increaseson April 26, 2024 at 9:19 am
"What's happening here in Pittsburgh is we initially launched this facility to JM Steel almost two years ago, because the demand is so strong," Shugar said. "Solar is not only the fastest growing ...
- Array Hosts U.S. Energy Secretary Granholm, New Mexico Senators to Break Ground on New Solar Manufacturing Facilityon April 26, 2024 at 7:45 am
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, and Bernalillo County Commission Chair Barbara Baca joined today with Array ...
- 6,000-acre solar energy and storage facility opens near Buckeyeon April 26, 2024 at 6:01 am
A 6,000-acre solar energy and storage facility is now operational in the far West Valley near Buckeye. Here's what to know.
- Solar energy package passing through German parliamenton April 26, 2024 at 4:15 am
The lower house of the German parliament has passed a legislative package aimed at promoting solar energy through a wide range of measures. The package was passed by the Bundestag on Friday and now ...
- Nextracker and JENNMAR Subsidiary JM Steel Bolster U.S. Supply Chain with New Facility Expansion to Triple Capacity for Solar Energy Projectson April 26, 2024 at 3:29 am
Nextracker (Nasdaq: NXT), a global provider of intelligent solar tracker and software solutions, and JENNMAR Holdings ("JENNMAR”) subsidiary JM Steel, a premier steel processing provider, jointly ...
- Idaho to receive $56.5 million in federal funds for solar energyon April 26, 2024 at 3:00 am
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week announced it is awarding $56.5 million in Solar For All grants to Idaho.
- 6 deals that show PE’s warm feeling for solar energyon April 25, 2024 at 10:20 am
Solar energy has been at the center of many firms’ investment theses. We feature six recent investments that show PE’s warm feelings for solar energy and other related services, such as battery ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Solar energy
[google_news title=”” keyword=”solar energy” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]