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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/L62733/01
Title: INVESTIGATION OF RAPID STABILISATION TREATMENTS FOR AMORPHOUS SILICON PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES
Principal Investigator: Pearsall, Professor NM
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Intersolar Group Plc
Department: Sch of Engineering & Technology
Organisation: Northumbria, University of
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 February 1998 Ends: 31 January 2000 Value (£): 118,032
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Optoelect. Devices & Circuits Solar Technology
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Electronics No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The amorphous silicon solar cell has received considerable attention in both research laboratories and commercial production, due to the potential for low cost production. This is a result of the use of abundant materials in a thin film design which can be extensively automated. However, it is well known that amorphous silicon soar cells exhibit a degradation effect, the Staelber-Wronski Effect, on exposure to light and this can reduce the efficiency substantially in the initial operating period. The rate of degradation, the extent of the performance loss and the period over which stability is reached are all dependent on the detail of the cell design, fabrication processes and stability treatments. The project will investigate both light soaking and current injection techniques for stabilization, considering the performance loss observed, the long-term stability and suitability for incorporation in the production process. The information from characterization of the changes in both cell and material parameters will be correlated with information about device structure and growth conditions supplied by the manufacturer to allow the prediction of appropriate stabilization techniques for existing and projected cell designs.
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