Photovoltaics
AVA Solar founders (left to right) Pascal Noronha, W.S. Sampath, Al Enzenroth, and Kurt Barth display one of their thin-film photovoltaic modules. AVA Solar is in phase II of the PV Incubator project.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP or the Solar Program) is aggressively funding a diverse set of photovoltaic (PV) technologies that have potential application in a range of markets.
Through its primary research and development (R&D) efforts, the PV subprogram's goal is for PV technology to achieve grid parity by 2015. Achieving this goal will lead to rapid and significant growth of solar electricity in the United States.
To reach this goal, DOE is investing in approaches across the development pipeline—from basic cell technologies to manufacturing scaleup to total system development—that demonstrate progress toward minimizing the effective life-cycle cost of solar energy. In addition, DOE is partnering with national laboratories, start-up companies, universities, and integrated industry teams.
The PV subprogram's R&D activities are divided into the following three categories:
- New Devices and Processes—These research and development activities address the development of novel PV devices or processes with potentially significant performance or cost advantages.
- Prototype Design and Pilot Production—These R&D activities emphasize development of PV prototype components or systems produced at pilot-scale with demonstrated cost, reliability, or performance advantages.
- Systems Development and Manufacturing—These R&D activities focus on PV components and systems that are ready for mass production and capable of delivering energy at target costs.
In support of its R&D efforts, SETP developed technology roadmaps that identify key needs in various solar technologies. The roadmaps were created by the Solar Program in collaboration with its partners from national laboratories, universities, and private industry.
Although electricity from PV systems is still more expensive than electricity from the utility grid, demand from PV technology systems has the potential to expand rapidly and become a significant part of the national energy supply, as additional advancements are made and grid parity is reached.
Photovoltaics is one of the four subprograms within the Solar Program. Along with Concentrating Solar Power, Systems Integration, and Market Transformation, the SETP subprograms focus on accelerating the advancement of solar energy technologies to make solar electricity cost competitive with conventional forms of electricity.