Sol Voltaics Produces World-Record GaAs Nanowires for Solar Energy

SAN FRANCISCO – Sol Voltaics, a developer of nano technology for the solar industry, has doubled its previously reported world-record for photovoltaic (PV) conversion efficiency using a gallium-arsenide (GaAs) nanowire array (NWA). As independently verified by Fraunhofer-ISE, Sol Voltaics has demonstrated a 1-sun conversion efficiency of 15.3% in a GaAs NWA solar cell, representing a significant milestone towards providing the solar industry with an efficiency boosting tandem film.

“We look forward to working with industrial partners on the integration of our technology on to Si cells so they may make the leap to 27% efficiency and beyond,” said Erik Smith, chief executive officer of Sol Voltaics.

This is the highest efficiency reported to date in a III-V NWA solar cell, and twice the prior record for GaAs NWA technology. Control of the high density of surface states of native GaAs is essential for PV applications, and these results prove that the company has resolved this challenge in the growth of solar cell nanowires.

“The efficiency of our GaAs nanowires is a critical component of our low cost film. The use of III-V materials in the PV industry has always been a goal but the costs have been prohibitive. Using Sol Voltaic’s Aerotaxy® nanowire production methodology allows our III-V film to be produced at competitive cost at efficiencies that are industry changing. We look forward to working with industrial partners on the integration of our technology on to Si cells so they may make the leap to 27% efficiency and beyond,” Smith said.

Sol Voltaics was founded in 2008 based on technology developed at Lund University in Sweden. The company develops novel nanomaterials for enhancing solar panels and other products. It focuses on improving the economics and efficiency of solar PV modules with higher opto-electric conversion efficiency through use of the company’s proprietary nanomaterial film and revolutionary Aerotaxy nanowire manufacturing process.

— Solar Builder magazine

[source: http://solarbuildermag.com/news/sol-voltaics-produces-world-record-gaas-nanowires-for-solar-energy/]