Award Number: DE-EE0008171CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6Solar Energy Technologies OfficeLocation(s): COOffice(s): Golden Field Office
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
August 10, 2017
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Revealing the Mechanism of Light-Induced Degradation and Regeneration of p-type Cz-Si
Award Number: DE-EE0008171
CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6
Solar Energy Technologies Office
Location(s): CO
Office(s): Golden Field Office
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide federal funding to the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) to establish two spectroscopic techniques to understand the regeneration of boron-doped Chochralski crystalline Silicon (p-type bulk Cz c-Si) for its application to passivated emitter rear contact (PERC) photovoltaic cells.
Proposed project activities would include the characterization of boron-doped Chochralski crystalline Silicon (Si) after light-induced degradation and regeneration. Specifically, CSM would employ fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) would complete electron spin resonance (ESR) in order to characterize the defects found in the Si. The facilities in which analysis work would occur are 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 facilities have all applicable permits in place, and would not need additional permits for the proposed activities.