Photovoltaic industry technological innovation: micro flash solar cells

When non-renewable energy sources such as electricity, coal, and oil are frequently in short supply, and energy issues are increasingly becoming a bottleneck restricting the economic development of the international community, more and more countries have begun to implement the "Sunshine Plan" to develop solar energy resources and seek new impetus for economic development.

Driven by the huge potential of the international photovoltaic market, solar cell manufacturing industries in various countries are scrambling to invest in production. However, in order to make up for the imperfections of traditional solar cell technology, scientists at Sandia National Laboratories in the United States recently invented a new type of solar cell. This solar cell, called "micro-flash", will have the potential to completely change the current way of collecting and using solar energy.

Traditional solar electricity needs to be improved

The battle for a low-carbon economy has already begun around the world. Efficient use of energy and development of clean energy are the purpose of developing a low-carbon economy. Using the development of the solar energy industry to reduce carbon emissions is a major topic in the low-carbon field, thereby promoting the development of renewable energy.

China has become the world's largest producer of photovoltaic cells. At present, thin-film solar cells that work with the photoelectric effect can be divided into two categories according to the crystal state: crystalline thin-film type and non-crystalline thin-film type, and the former is divided into single crystal type and polycrystalline type. According to the material, it can be divided into silicon thin film type, compound semiconductor thin film type and organic film type.

Solar cells can be divided into silicon solar cells, multi-compound thin-film solar cells, polymer multilayer modified electrode solar cells, nanocrystalline solar cells, and organic solar cells according to different materials. Among them, silicon solar cells are the most mature and dominate in applications.

At present, monocrystalline silicon solar cells have the highest conversion efficiency and the most mature technology, but the cost price is high. Compared with monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon thin-film solar cells have low cost and higher efficiency than amorphous silicon thin-film cells. Amorphous silicon thin-film solar cells have low cost and light weight, high conversion efficiency, and are easy to mass produce, but are subject to the photoelectric efficiency decay effect caused by their materials, and their stability is not high, which directly affects their practical application. It can be seen that each type of solar cell has different advantages and disadvantages.

In this way, this is also the bottleneck restricting the development of the photovoltaic industry.

The application of solar cells has been hindered by their high cost. Finding a battery that can effectively reduce costs, use less materials, and have high efficiency. We need to find a new type of solar cell with low cost and high efficiency to replace traditional solar cells.

Multiple technologies promote the advent of "micro flash"

Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories in the United States announced that they have invented a new type of solar cell - a "micro flash" solar cell. The solar cell is made of crystalline silicon and incorporates micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), which are widely used in today's electronic device factories.

Under the same conditions, the new cell can produce the same amount of electricity, and the silicon required is only 1% of that of ordinary solar cells. And because of its small size, it is not easily affected by the external environment and its appearance is damaged, so it has obvious advantages in some environments where it needs to be used for a long time. This battery has lower cost and higher efficiency.

The battery is very small, with a thickness of about 14 to 20 microns, but the effect is no less than that of traditional solar cells. It can be installed on a charger and then placed in some soft molds. The advantage of this is that this battery can be installed around people, allowing people to collect and use solar energy in their daily lives.

The reason why this battery is named "micro flash" is not only because of its small size, but also because its manufacturing process uses a tool called "pick and place", which is often used in the field of electronic assembly. The tool places the silicon wafer on the electronic contact elements at the bottom of the battery, and it can complete this action 130,000 times per hour. Light collectors are another device used in "micro flash". It is a low-cost device commonly used on lenses and is also used in the new solar cell. The use of this device allows the battery to absorb more light and convert it into more electrical energy. Of course, due to the small size of the battery, a short-focal-length light collector can be used during manufacturing, which is not only cheaper but also more effective. Huge application prospects "This battery can be manufactured in various shapes for hunters, travelers and other types of people to cope with various use environments, such as construction, field tents and even on clothes. It can also provide energy for the communication system of military personnel. No matter what you are doing, you can charge this battery while walking or resting." Greg said.

This new technology is also good for large power stations because it can reduce the installation cost of power station equipment. Using these seemingly inconspicuous "micro flash" batteries together in large quantities can also achieve the effect of high-voltage power transmission. However, since they do not require a large number of transmission lines like ordinary high-voltage power stations, they can save line costs and reduce voltage losses during transportation, so it is more cost-effective to use "micro flash" batteries.

It can be seen that "micro flash" solar cells have many advantages and are bound to lead the revolutionary change of photovoltaic industry technology.

In fact, driven by the huge potential of the international photovoltaic market, solar cell manufacturing industries in various countries are competing to invest huge sums of money to expand production in order to compete for a place. Shao Li, editor of China Energy Network, told China United Business Daily: "China has become the world's largest producer of photovoltaic cells. In 2008, China's total solar cell production reached 1,780MW, accounting for 26% of the world's total, surpassing Germany for the first time and ranking first in the world. Although affected by the global financial crisis, many photovoltaic industry component companies in China have stopped or reduced production. However, due to the pull of international and domestic markets and the promotion of relevant domestic industrial policies, as well as the application of new solar energy technologies such as "micro-flash", the entire solar photovoltaic industry still maintains rapid growth."

The solar photovoltaic industry is still developing, and the technology is constantly being updated. Countries are holding high the banner of low carbon and competing with each other. "The enthusiasm for domestic investment in the solar photovoltaic industry is still very high. But at present, we must increase the intensity of new technology research and development and quickly start the domestic market to solve the embarrassing situation of China's photovoltaic industry being "outside the country." Shao Li said. Ultimately, China's solar photovoltaic industry will gradually move from a "manufacturing power" to a "manufacturing power."