TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – The U.S. Department of Energy announced the launch of the Cadmium Telluride Accelerator Consortium.
This is a $20 million initiative designed to make cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells less expensive, more efficient and develop new markets for solar cell products.
CdTe solar cells were first developed in the United States and are the second-most common photovoltaic technology in the world after silicon.
The Consortium’s efforts to spur technological advancements will increase America’s competitiveness, bolster domestic innovation and support clean electricity deployment supporting President Biden’s goal of achieving a net-zero economy by 2050.
“As solar continues its reign as one of the cheapest forms of energy powering our homes and businesses, we are committed to a solar future that is built by American workers,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm. “DOE is proud to partner with leading solar researchers and companies to chart the future of CdTe technology, which presents an immense opportunity for domestic manufacturers to help ensure our nation’s security while providing family-sustaining jobs.”
The consortium will work on continued cost and efficiency improvements that will made CdTe cheaper, more efficient and more competitive on the global market.
The Department of Energy’s Solar Photovoltaics Supply Chain Review Report identified CdTe as an opportunity for expanding domestic production of solar panels, up the limit that CdTe material availability allows, with little risk of being overtaken by low-cost foreign competition.
To achieve these goals, the team has an extensive research plan that includes CdTe doping strategies, characterizing and exploring new CdTe contacting materials and work to enable bifacial CdTe module that absorbs light from the front and back of the module.
The Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory will administer to consortium, whose leaders were chosen through a competitive solicitation it released last year.
The consortium will be led by the University of Toledo, First Solar, Colorado State University, Toledo Solar Inc. and Sivananthan Laboratories, Inc.
“Our world requires scientific innovation to address the inefficient ways we find, produce and consume energy,” said University of Toledo President Gregory Postel. “The University of Toledo is proud to help power the future by leading this consortium that leverages our expertise in solar energy research and commercialization and strengthens our partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and other leaders in this important and growing field.”
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory will serve as a resource, support and technical analysis center as the consortium develops a technology roadmap, conducts research to meet targets set within the roadmap and regularly assesses the domestic CdTe supply chain for challenges and opportunities.
The consortium aims to expand domestic CdTe photovoltaic material and module production, support the domestic CdTe supply chain, and enhance U.S. competitiveness.
The FY22 Solar Manufacturing Incubator funding opportunity, announced last month, will support projects that ready new technologies and manufacturing processes for commercialization and demonstrate solutions that can boost domestic manufacturing of thin-film photovoltaics made from CdTe.
“To move America forward, we need an all-of-the-above strategy that propels our energy independence, lowers costs, and creates good-paying jobs. Northern Ohio has already revolutionized the field of solar technology,” said U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur. “Now, through this remarkable partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy, the University of Toledo, and First Solar – our region will become a hub of next-generation energy innovation that is built right here at home by Ohio’s workers.”
See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Please include the…
Read More: U.S. Department of Energy launches new solar research group
