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Conductive ZnMgO Enabling High-Efficiency Wide-Bandgap Photovoltaics

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Office of the Secretary of Defense 		Award ID:
83117 		Program Year/Program:
2007 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
O071-ES3-1036 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
ASCENT SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES
8120 Shaffer Parkway Littleton, CO -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2007
Title: Conductive ZnMgO Enabling High-Efficiency Wide-Bandgap Photovoltaics
Agency / Branch: DOD / OSD
Contract: FA9453-07-M-0136
Award Amount: $99,857.00
 

Abstract:

Ascent Solar Technologies (AST) proposes to develop atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) of zinc-magnesium-oxide (ZnMgO) as an n-type transparent conducting oxide (TCO) for the top contact that will match the material properties of new buffer and window layers being developed for new wide-bandgap devices. AST's innovative approach proposes to make the definitive light-absorber layer for high-power, lightweight and flexible thin-film photovoltaics (TFPV). The baseline AST product utilizes single-junction devices with low-bandgap CuInSe2 (CISe) alloys, however better TFPV module performance is predicted through the use of wide-bandgap alloy variations of the CISe based solar absorber. AST has been developing wide-bandgap alloys of CISe based solar absorbers using both aluminum and gallium for simultaneous optimization of the bandgap and material properties. To date, most wide-bandgap device development has used traditional device layers that are optimal for low-bandgap solar absorbers, but are not well matched for wide-bandgap absorbers. In addition, AST will utilize novel lightweight and flexible substrates that are also being developed at AST. Ultra-high TFPV device efficiencies and specific power (> 1500 W/kg) could result from the combined device and substrate technology, exceeding state-of-the-art terrestrial TFPV module efficiencies (at operational temperatures), and enabling terrestrial, spacecraft, balloon and unmanned aircraft technologies.

Principal Investigator:

Lawrence Woods
Program Manager
3032855135
lwoods@ascentsolar.com

Business Contact:

Janet Casteel
Chief Accounting Officer
3032855111
jcasteel@ascentsolar.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

ASCENT SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES
8120 Shaffer Parkway Littleton, CO 80127

EIN/Tax ID: 203672603
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No