Prototype Design and Pilot Production
Plextronics, a PV Incubator awardee, displays a close-up of its organic solar cell.
PIX# 15263
The Solar Energy Technologies Program photovoltaic (PV) research in photovoltaic (PV) component and system prototypes emphasizes development of prototype components and systems produced at pilot-scale. The demonstration of cost, reliability, or performance advantages is required.
The proposed photovoltaic research will target the following:
- Development of component prototype design with full functionality and complete "look and feel" of commercial products
- Accelerated and qualifications testing to improve component design and gain early insight into reliability issues
- Complete proof of concept for all new manufacturing processes in pilot-scale operations
- Lab testing to provide data for systems integration and optimization
- Evaluation of component costing based on pilot production processes.
This PV research focuses on one area:
- PV Incubator Project — targets development of PV systems and component prototypes with full functionality, produced in pilot-scale operations.