20 March 2013

Solar Junction’s CPV cell efficiency record achieved on Veeco MBE system

Epitaxial deposition and process equipment maker Veeco Instruments Inc of Plainview, NY, USA says that the record for energy conversion efficiency of a commercial-ready production solar cell reported in October by Solar Junction was achieved using its Dual GEN200 molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) system.

Solar Junction of San Jose, CA, USA, which manufactures III-V multi-junction solar cells for concentrated photovoltaics (CPV), reported that the power conversion efficiency of their CPV cells was measured as 44% at 947 suns, as verified by the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Founded in 2007, Solar Junction says that its cells, which incorporate proprietary adjustable-spectrum lattice-matched (A-SLAM) materials technology, enable it to more optimally partition the solar spectrum for maximum efficiency and greater reliability.

“Veeco’s MBE system enables us to reach critical milestones in solar cell efficiency,” comments Homan Yuen Ph.D., Solar Junction’s VP of research & development. “Their system is instrumental in pushing the boundaries of technology to make CPV a more competitive option for solar power,” he adds. 

“We wholeheartedly congratulate Solar Junction on their world record, and are committed to supporting their new facility’s production ramp,” says Veeco’s VP & general manager Jim Northup. “The GEN200 is the ideal pilot-production tool,” he reckons.

The GEN200 MBE cluster-tool design provides the material source and wafer configuration flexibility for R&D or for multi-wafer production applications, says Veeco. The flexibility enables the system to deliver higher throughput and lower cost per wafer, in a footprint up to 60% smaller than comparable MBE systems, it is reckoned. It can also support dual growth modules, allowing facilities to either greatly increase production or grow different materials within a single, integrated system.

See related items:

Solar Junction sets CPV cell efficiency record of 44%

Tags: Veeco MBE Solar Junction CPV

Visit: www.sj-solar.com

Visit: www.veeco.com/GEN200