Device Architecture for Next-Generation CdTe PV Award Number: DE-EE0007543 CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6 Solar Energy Technology Office Date: 6/21/2016 Location(s): CO Office(s): Golden Field Office
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
July 5, 2016
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Device Architecture for Next-Generation CdTe PV
Award Number: DE-EE0007543
CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6
Solar Energy Technology Office
Date: 6/21/2016
Location(s): CO
Office(s): Golden Field Office
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide federal funding to Colorado State University (CSU) to develop a next-generation device architecture for Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) solar photovoltaic (PV) cells that would be compatible with a typical thin-film manufacturing line, can plausibly lead to a 2% increase in absolute module efficiency, and that has a projected cost structure per unit area equal to or less than the standard architecture.
Proposed activities would include the deposition of thin-film CdTe solar PV cells and the subsequent electrical and optical characterization of those PV cells. These activities would be undertaken in the photovoltaics lab on campus at CSU in Ft. Collins, CO. The facility in which lab work would occur is purpose-built for the type of activities being proposed; therefore, no adverse impacts to sensitive resources are expected as a result of the proposed project. No change in the use, mission or operation of existing facilities would arise out of this effort. The facility has all applicable permits in place, and would not need additional permits for the proposed activities.