Development of Low Cost Alkaline Solar Cells

Photovoltaic (PV) devices are one of the major green alternatives for low carbon, clean and renewable energy.

The conversion efficiency of solar power into electricity using PV technology is currently limited owing to

unwanted heat generation and higher production cost. The innovative alkali thin film PV technology (APVs

patented by Solaris Photonics) promises to overcome these problems, and its development could meet the

essential objective of lower cost electricity generation with higher efficiency (14-30%). The current proposal is

focussed on continuing to develop the APV to obtain an optimised functional prototype which delivers high

efficiency whilst ensuring durability and long lifetime. The project aims to fabricate high efficiency low-cost

pre-industrial prototype alkali PV cells utilising thermal evaporation deposition, switching to an all sputtering

manufacturing process in the long term. The proposed APV technology could become highly competitive with

the cost of conventionally generated electricity at point of use.