24 Apr 2003 @ 23:35, by Raymond Powers
Solar cells become thinner and cheaper
(Apr 15)
Researchers in the US and Germany have created a new type of very thin solar cell that could provide a cheaper alternative to existing solar cells. The device, built by Rolf Koenenkamp at Portland State University in the US and colleagues at the Hahn Meitner Institute in Germany,consists of a light-absorbing layer placed on top of a "deep
microstructure" substrate. The advantage of the device is that it can be made from smaller quantities of lower quality semiconductor material.
(K Ernst et al. 2003 Semicond. Sci. Technol. 18 475).
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