A market analysis for high efficiency multi-junction solar cells grown on SiGe

• Main Author: Judkins, Zachara Steele
• Other Authors: Eugene Fitzgerald.
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2008
• Subjects: Materials Science and Engineering.
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/42143

Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, 2007. === Includes bibliographical references (leaves 50-53). === Applications, markets and a cost model are presented for III-V multi-junction solar cells built on compositionally graded SiGe buffer layers currently being developed by professors Steven Ringell of Ohio State University and Eugene Fitzgerald of MIT. Potential markets are similar to those currently occupied by high efficiency multi-junction space solar cells grown on a Germanium substrate. Initial cost analysis shows that at production volumes similar to those of the state of the art, cost could be reduced by a factor of' four. Significant market share may be gained in both the space and terrestrial PV markets due to improved performance associated with superior materials properties advantages as well as production cost reductions. === by Zachary Steele Judkins. === M.Eng.